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Women's Center of Rhode Island
Summer 2006 Newsletter
2006 WOMEN OF EXCELLENCE AWARDS LUNCHEON
On Friday, March 31st more than 170 people celebrated the Women's Center of Rhode Island's Fourth Annual Women of Excellence Awards Luncheon.
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Lt. Governor Charles Fogarty addresses those in attendance.
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Held at the Providence Marriott, the Women of Excellence Awards Luncheon was created to celebrate women who have achieved success despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles as well as for dedicating their life to breaking down barriers facing other women. These women inspire and encourage other women from all backgrounds and experiences to achieve great things.
This year's honorees were Carolyn Petreccia, Owner of Re/Max Advantage Group and Co-Founder of the Friends of Barbara Lombardi; O. Rogeriee Thompson, Associate Justice on the Rhode Island Superior Court; Reverend Katherine Miranda Soares, Health Promotion Specialist/Contract Manager of the Rhode Island Department of Health and Pastor/Founder of the Disciples of Christ Tabernacle Mission Church; Agnes G. Doody, Ph.D., Professor Emerita of the University of Rhode Island; Wheelworks Women's Cycling Team and Robin Wilkinson, domestic violence survivor.
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Providence Mayor Cicilline welcomes the attendees and congratulates the honorees.
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Several State, Federal, and City officials attended to honor these extraordinary women, including Providence Mayor David Cicilline, First Lady Suzanne Carcieri, Lieutenant Governor Charles Fogarty, Congressman Patrick Kennedy, City Council President John Lombardi and representatives from the Providence City Council.
Former Women of Excellence Award recipients Mary Silvia Harrison, Arlene Violet and Lynne Urbani were also in attendance. Women's Center of Rhode Island Executive Director, Kyle A. Macdonald welcomed everyone to the Fourth Annual Women of Excellence Awards Luncheon. She acknowledged the former honorees, the public officials, and introduced the Mistress of Ceremonies, the host of Coast 93.3's Vital Women, Donna Mac.
A representative from the Attorney General's office, Mike Healy, introduced Carolyn Petreccia who said that by honoring her, the Women's Center of Rhode Island was honoring everyone involved in the Friends of Barbara Lombardi group and their contributions to help end domestic violence. She was thankful for the people in attendance who were showing their support for the work she and her group do.
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Coast 9.33's Vital Women host, Donna Mac served as the event's Mistress of Ceremonies.
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During her introduction of O. Rogeriee Thompson, Mary Silvia Harrison, President of the Children's Crusade for Higher Education and 2005 Woman of Excellence, reminisced about their days together on the board of directors of the Urban League. Harrison also spoke of their work together today as Justice Thompson serves on the Children's Crusade for Higher Education's board of directors. In her acceptance speech, Justice Thompson recalled her work on the Women's Center of Rhode Island's board of directors in the 1970s and noted her disappointment in the fact that their services were still needed. Justice Thompson also noted the importance of the local domestic violence agencies' court advocates and her concern for the proposed budget cuts that would eliminate those positions.
Macdonald introduced Rev. Soares, explaining that she was impressed by Soares when she heard her address a group of volunteers during Domestic Violence Awareness Month last October. Macdonald was inspired by Soares' accomplishments in her professional life and commitment to improve the community. Soares explained that she, too, was a survivor of domestic violence and that it was her concern for the safety of her children that finally made her leave a dangerous household. Rev. Soares ended with an inspiring poem she wrote about domestic violence that touched the hearts of everyone in the room.
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2006 Honorees Carolyn Petreccia and Wheelworks Women's Cycling Team Members Julie Monagle and Dawn Richardson talk with RI Coalition Against Domestic Violence Executive Director Deb Debare and Congressman Patrick Kennedy after the event.
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After being introduced by Fran O'Neill-Cunha, Wheelworks Women's Cycling Team members Dawn Richardson and Julie Monagle said that they were flattered by their nomination and humbled by the presence of the other honorees.
Jane Larson, Manager of Consumer Affairs for the USPS introduced her friend and co-worker, Robin Wilkinson, who explained that through friends and family she was able to overcome her experiences in a violent relationship. Through connections with women who work at other domestic violence agencies she began to share publicly her story during Domestic Violence Awareness Month and continues to do so in order to help others in similar situations.
Lisa Bowen, a former student of Agnes Doody, introduced the honoree and regaled the crowd with stories from Doody's classroom. Once at the podium, Doody continued to make the crowd laugh while she inspired everyone in the room to follow their dreams and reminded everyone of the importance of helping one another.
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L-R: WCRI, Executive Director, Kyle Macdonald; Honorees Julie Monagle, Dawn Richardson, Carolyn Petreccia, Agnes Doody, Rev. Katherine Miranda Soares, and Robin Wilkinson; Coast 93.3's Donna Mac; Congressman Patrick Kennedy
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This event was made possible thanks to the generous support of several sponsors. These sponsors include: Bank Rhode Island, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Rhode Island, Brokernet USA, Inc., Richard and Lorraine Sebastiao, AIPSO, Hope Global, Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Executive Service Corps of New England, Wheelworks Women's Cycling Team, and Louis Goldman. Thank you also to our media sponsors: Clear Channel Radio-Coast 93.3 and B101.
We would like to thank the following sponsors:
Media Sponsors:  |
AIPSO |
BankRI |
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Blue Cross & Blue Shield of RI |
Hope Global | |
| BrokerNetUSA | RI Coalition Against Domestic Violence | Richard & Lorraine Sebastiao |
