Liz Goodermote is a sales manager at Enterprise Holdings, where she is responsible for corporate account management and new-business acquisition in the Rhode Island, southeastern Massachusetts and eastern Connecticut markets.
She serves on the membership committee and executive board of United Way of Rhode Island’s Women United, a group of like-minded women who volunteer their time, energy and resources to advocate improving childhood literacy. She has been a member of the organization for three years. Goodermote is the also the board chair of Progreso Latino Rhode Island, where she has served for the last four years.
PBN: You have been a member of United Way’s Women United group for three years and currently serve on its executive and membership committees. What is the group’s mission and what led you to become involved with its work?
GOODERMOTE: Women United is an all-volunteer group that harnesses the power of women and our communities, uniting them in support of one of the most important issues facing our state today – improving childhood literacy. Getting involved with the group, particularly at a leadership level, was not only an easy decision but also very rewarding.
We know reading proficiently by the end of third grade is one of the most significant predictors of a student’s future success in school and, subsequently, life. I truly believe – as do my fellow Women United members – giving every student the tools they need to learn and succeed is the best investment we can make in our state’s future. Every child deserves an opportunity to be the best they can be in the classroom, no matter their family’s income level or circumstances. And, the fact that our group continues to grow, demonstrates how much this work resonates with those across our communities.
PBN: Last year, Women United hosted “75 by 2025” to raise awareness about the state’s need to improve reading proficiency among its third-grade students. How has the group followed up this event to move its work forward?
GOODERMOTE: I think many Rhode Islanders would be shocked to learn 39 percent of the state’s third-graders are reading at grade level, and that percentage is reduced further for low-income and minority populations. Gov. [Gina M.] Raimondo has pledged her support to improve this statistic. A program called 75 by 2025 is Rhode Island’s commitment to get 75 percent of our third-grade students reading proficiently by 2025. One of the ways we’re moving this forward is through Young Minds in Motion, which is an after-school program [that] teaches young students problem-solving skills and explores fun with science. We are also tireless advocates and supporters of summer learning.
All students are at risk of losing up to two months of math and reading comprehension over the summer when not engaged in active learning. But, for participants in United Way’s Hasbro Summer Learning Initiative, that learning loss is replaced with skills gains. Women United has pledged $65,000 to help bridge the funding gap for this summer’s learning programs, which comes on the heels of the $116,000 the group donated in support of 2017 programming. We need to ensure students stay engaged in learning outside the classroom, so they retain knowledge and return to school in September ready to learn a new curriculum.
PBN: What are some of the ways that Women United has advanced its efforts over the past year? Are there new initiatives that members have engaged with?
GOODERMOTE: We are always looking for ways to advance our work. Over the last year, we have expanded our partnership with United Way’s Afterschool Leadership Circle through a program called Spur Talent through Early Mentoring. The program is designed for children in kindergarten through second grade and engages them in activities that build literacy and introduce them to [science, technology, engineering and math]. Our members have volunteered to help lead classroom teachers in Central Falls and Cranston to deliver an easy, fun curriculum focused on local marine life and the impact of changes to the environment.
We also became more involved with advocacy through participating in United Way advocacy trainings and attending Afterschool Day at the Statehouse. To really create change, we know we need the support of our elected officials and that there’s strength in numbers. We want to reach as many people as we can who also want to make improving literacy a priority – this is an opportunity to invest in our state’s future and in our state’s success.
PBN: In addition to its work as a group, how do individual Women United members give back to the community?
GOODERMOTE: One of the great things about Women United is that our 159 members are making a difference every day, whether in their personal or professional lives. A number of members work in the nonprofit sector day to day and are making an impact there but also want to make a difference through Women United. Our members are strong, smart, compassionate women who not only lend financial support but also give of their most valuable resource – their time.
Personally, I ran the Boston Marathon last year and used it as a platform to fundraise for United Way while spreading awareness about the improvements we need with childhood literacy. I feel this work becomes part of who we are, and we carry it with us everywhere we go. There is a lot that can be done by talking about the issue and educating others. It’s all about power in numbers and our group engages all of its relationships.
PBN: Looking ahead, what’s on the horizon for Women United and how can those interested learn more or get involved?
GOODERMOTE: We want to continue to become more involved with advocacy and engaging our elected officials to create change at the systems level, which supports our mission.
I’d also encourage people to check out United Way’s advocacy trainings to learn about ways they can communicate with state leaders and influence change. Of course, we’re always welcoming new members. There’s information about our group on United Way’s website, and Natalia Lima on their staff is a great resource who is a vital part of our work. No one should ever hesitate to contact her at Natalia.Lima@uwri.org.
Meet a member for a cup of coffee or come visit one of the learning sites where we volunteer. Everyone can do something – this isn’t an “X” community problem; it’s a Rhode Island problem. No matter where you live, our work is something you can get behind to make a difference for all kids in our state.
Emily Gowdey-Backus is a staff writer for PBN. You can follow her on Twitter @FlashGowdey or contact her via email, gowdey-backus@pbn.com.
