Pawtucket School Committee Member Sandra Cano: 13 To Watch in RI in 2013

Pawtucket School Committee Member Sandra Cano: 13 To Watch in RI in 2013

In recent years, the Latino community has emerged as a budding powerhouse in Rhode Island politics. From General Assembly leaders such as Senator Juan Pichardo and Rep. Grace to Diaz to Providence Mayor Angel Taveras and now, Central Falls Mayor James Diossa, Latinos have clearly made their presence felt.

And some believe this is only the beginning.

That’s why newly elected Pawtucket School Committee Sandra Cano makes GoLocalProv’s list of 13 to Watch in 2013. Cano, a Shea High School graduate, became the first Latina to be elected to the school board in November and now she’ll work to improve what has quietly become one of the state’s worst school districts.

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But Cano has the experience (she was once a staffer at the Providence After School Alliance) and the talent to provide a new vision for Pawtucket.

“I am going to focus on our public schools and work hard to make sure that every child in the system has access to a high quality education,” she told GoLocalProv earlier this year. “While I think parents should have the opportunity to decide whether or not they send their child to a charter school, the vast majority of our children attend our public schools and we need to focus all our energy on improving education outcomes there.”

And don’t be surprised if the school committee is just the first step in this up-and-comer’s political career. She has already been chosen to represent the United States at the United Nations Commission of Status of Women—a summit to advocate for Woman’s rights— has plenty of insiders calling her a rising star in local politics.