Top Women Pols are Honored by YWCA Northern RI

Top Women Pols are Honored by YWCA Northern RI

The YWCA Northern Rhode Island honored four female legislators from Rhode Island this week its third Women Holding Office Celebration on Tuesday. Sen. Rhoda E. Perry (D-Dist. 3, Providence) and Rep. Anastasia P. Williams (D-Dist. 9, Providence), Rep. Grace Diaz (D-Dist 11, Providence), and Deborah Ruggiero (D-Dist. 74, Jamestown, Middletown) were all recognized as women who have made a difference as elected officials and encouraged other women to run for office.

"Without women in politics and government, someone else will always be speaking for us, if anyone speaks up at all," said Deborah L. Perry, executive director of YWCA Northern Rhode Island. "YWCA's Women Holding Office Celebration is our thank-you for their voice, courage, vision, and leadership."

Senator Perry and Williams, along with former state senators Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts and Lila Sapinsley, as well as former attorney general Arlene Violet, were awarded the first-ever Isabelle Ahearn O'Neill Award. O'Neill, the youngest of 13 children of a former Woonsocket city councilment won election to the House in 1922 and later rose to deputy Senate floor leader and Democratic national committeewoman.

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

Diaz, Ruggiero, and Woonsocket School Committee Member Vimala Phongsavanh were all recognized as rising political stars.