the pulse of life for Clarice Thompson

For Clarice L. Thompson music is more than an entertainment vehicle. She sees it as a means of acknowledging the innate dignity of all human beings. To her, music and song tell the stories of people, touch the heart, and tells the world that we are all worthy of respect and living full, positive lives.

Shanna Wells has made a difference for women and girls in Rhode Island

Shanna Wells is the director of the Rhode Island Commission on Women. Working toward parity for women, initiatives under her leadership have included women and girls in non-traditional trades, pay equity, comparable worth, and women's financial planning.

Digit Murphy weaves female leadership into daily skills and drills

Throughout her lengthy career in collegiate women’s hockey, Margaret “Digit” Murphy has time and again blended together an intense determination to succeed and blaze new trails with a passion for hockey and for those placed in her care. She is the head women’s hockey coach at Brown University.

Donna Walsh works to end pay disparities and encourages women to run for office

Donna Walsh first joined the fight for pay equity when she became an active member of Business and Professional Women in 1982. She was elected to the state Senate in 1996, serving as the deputy majority leader until 2002. In her six years there, she introduced pay equity awareness legislation every year and was a co-sponsor of the first bill calling for Rhode Island to eliminate sex based wage discrimination. Walsh mobilized support from other legislators, women's organizations, and the public in order to close the gap that unfairly affects women's jobs.

Lisa Bergeron uses her talents and passions to help others

As president of Leading Women of Southeastern New England, Lisa Bergeron inspires, empowers and honors the success of women leaders through a variety of leadership programs, strategic networking events and other resources. Under her leadership and in just four short years, Leading Women of Southeastern New England has grown from 250 to over 2000 members.

Yvonne Freeman helps vulnerable populations

In 1999, Yvonne Freeman was pregnant with her fourth child and homeless with no family support. The stress of being homeless caused her to deliver her baby early. The baby was very sick and needed a great deal of care. Freeman received support from the neonatal intensive care unit nurses at Women & Infants Hospital, which in turn sparked her interest in becoming a nurse so that she could give back to the community by supporting individuals that needed help.

Paige Clausius-Parks encourages everyone to speak for equality

Throughout her life, Paige Clausius-Parks has learned to find the power of living in the margins. As a young African-American lesbian woman, she often had to prove to herself the value of her voice, and not back down in her effort to be heard and understood.

Kathleen Taylor is helping to demystify the stigma of domestic violence

Kathleen A. Taylor is the founder and co-chair of Healthy Families Initiative, a newly formed grassroots movement within the Rhode Island Muslim community to offer intervention and prevention services to Muslims who may be experiencing domestic violence within their homes.

Nancy Rafi spreads the message of peace and healing

Nancy Rafi is committed to ending violence against women and girls. Over the years she has created many events, which raise awareness and funds for local non-profit and volunteer organizations. “I have come to my work as a survivor,” she says.

Ana Giron promotes justice for victims of crime

Ana Giron recalls a time assisting a young woman at trial who had been a victim of sexual assault. During the trial the young woman had to watch a tape depicting her being raped by three men. Upon seeing the tape, the woman asked for a break, left the courtroom and became ill.

Tracy Baran is helping others realize their inner strength and potential

A successful attorney with Partridge Snow & Hahn, Tracy C. Baran is committed to empowering women by creating and participating in programs, initiatives and activities which focus on women's professional and personal development, and which eliminate barriers to success and personal fulfillment.

Mary-Kim Arnold is drawn to addressing social inequalities

Mary-Kim Arnold is driven by a deep conviction that we can be more, do more and hope for more than what we’re able to see at any particular moment.

Valerie Tutson celebrates people’s culture and identity through storytelling

Valerie Tutson believes wholeheartedly in using stories to educate, heal, empower and honor. She is unwavering in her belief that through this work, communities can be built, hate and fear can be overcome and individuals can achieve their highest potential.

Karen Feldman inspires young leaders

Karen Feldman is co-director of Young Voices, a Rhode Island organization that transforms urban youth into powerful advocates. She brings more than 20 years of experience in the field of youth leadership development. Young Voices engages young people from across the state in various efforts to impact public education policy at the district and state level.