11-R144

2011 -- H 5989

Enacted 03/24/11

H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

CELEBRATING THE 11TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE "EXTRAORDINARY WOMAN AWARDS" HELD ANNUALLY IN COMMEMORATION OF INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

Introduced By: Representative Leo Medina

Date Introduced: March 24, 2011

     WHEREAS, For the past eleven years, the “Extraordinary Woman Awards” has been

celebrated in March in conjunction with International Women’s Day.  Founded in Rhode Island

by Sandra Lake, this event honors the vast and important contributions women make each and

every day towards building better communities and assisting those in need; and

     WHEREAS, International Women’s Day is a celebration of women and brings together

women of different ethnic origins, creeds, and religions who have made significant contributions

in the areas of education, professional and business development, community involvement,

cultural enrichment, health, politics, and home care; and

     WHEREAS, This year’s Honorees will be: Carmen Diaz-Jusino, Business Development;

Lourdes Pichardo, Health; Henrietta White-Holder, Education; Cheryl Burrell, Community

Involvement; Dra. Carmen Sanchez, Professional Development; Martha Morrough-Bernal,

Exceptional Caregiver; Maribel Patiño, Public Servant; Thérèse “Tsetse” Lavellee, Cultural

Enrichment; Ida Nogueras, Community Involvement; and our Extraordinary Woman for the

Future, Kassandra Vega.

     WHEREAS, Over the years, the careers and achievements of distinguished women such

as Patricia Martinez, Myrth York, Representative Grace Diaz, Melba Depeña, Representative

Deborah Ruggiero, Juana Horton, Pat Mastors, Adriana Dawson, Representative Anastasia

Williams, Dr. Patricia Flanagan, Clare Eckert, Elizabeth Burke-Bryant, Gertrude Jones, Doris

Blanchard, and Ana Novais have been honored and celebrated with the “Extraordinary Woman

Awards” event;  and

     WHEREAS, Previous keynote speakers have included Cinthia Garcia-Coll, Lieutenant

Governor Elizabeth Roberts, The Honorable Milagros Ortiz Bosch, Senate President Teresa Paiva

Weed, and The Honorable Iris Y. Martinez; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby celebrates the 11th Anniversary of the “Extraordinary Woman

Awards,” held annually in commemoration of International Women’s Day; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the League of Women Voters, the Rhode Island

Commission on Women, the Rhode Island Chapter of the National Organization of Women, and

the Rhode Island General Assembly Women's Caucus.

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LC02315

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