Women’s Policy Institute group recognizes Senator Rhoda Perry, Representative Elaine Coderre and Former Policy Consultant Arianne Lynch for their leadership
PROVIDENCE – The current Women’s Policy Institute class (2011-2012) will graduate Thursday, June 14, 3-4:30 PM at a ceremony to be held in the State House’s Bell Room.
“Women hold only 26% of elected office in our state,” explains Marcia Con, CEO of Women’s Fund of Rhode Island, ”We launched the Women’s Policy Institute in 2008 in order to ensure that more women are engaged in the policy process. I am delighted that our new graduates will join our 16 alumnae, all of whom work towards eliminating gender inequality in our state.”
The seven women graduating on June 14 researched paid family leave laws in California and New Jersey and developed model language for a Temporary Caregiver Insurance bill (Senate Bill 2734; House Bill 7862). The Women’s Policy Institute participants worked alongside Senator Rhoda Perry, Representative Elaine Coderre and former policy consultant, Arianne Lynch, all of whom will be recognized for their leadership at the reception.
The 2011-2012 Women’s Policy Institute Leaders are: Dara Chadwick, Kara Foley, Gayle Goldin, Kate Lyons, Karen Mensel, Renay Omisore and Camille Vella-Wilkinson. These leaders came to the Women’s Policy Institute with diverse life experiences, but are unified in their commitment to improving the status of women and girls. Their full biographies can be found at www.wfri.org.
This is the fourth year of the Women’s Policy Institute through which participants take part monthly in daylong workshops that hone their skills in communication, public speaking, and facilitation. Each year participants select a policy area that is of interest to the group, research the topic, develop legislation, present their model legislation to others, and work with legislators to introduce the bill. Applications are currently being accepted for the upcoming year.
The Women’s Fund of Rhode Island mission is to invest in women and girls in our community through research, advocacy and grant making designed to eliminate gender inequity through systemic change. Our website is www.wfri.org, or follow us on Twitter: @womensfundri and Facebook: www.facebook.com/womensfundri
