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5th Annual WOMEN OF EXCELLENCE
AWARDS LUNCHEON RECAP
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On Thursday, April 5th nearly 300 people celebrated the Women's Center of Rhode Island's Fifth Annual Women of Excellence Awards Luncheon. 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.
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L-R: Kyle A. Macdonald, Beatriz E. Perez, Maureen A. McDonough-Roddy, Paula Vogel, Gemma A. Guinguing, Doris Burke, Marcia Cone-Tighe, and Donna Mac
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This year's honorees were Beatriz E. Perez, Program Manager, Safe RI Violence Prevention Program at the RI Department of Health; Gemma A. Guinguing, Miss Deaf RI 2004-2005; Women's Fund of RI; Doris Burke, Television Announcer, ESPN/ABC Sports; Maureen A. McDonough-Roddy, Founder, Red Dress Racing; and Paula Vogel, Adele Kellenberg Seaver Chair of Creative Writing, Brown University and 1998 Pulitzer Prize-Winning Playwright.
Several State, Federal, and City officials attended to honor these extraordinary women, including Providence Mayor David Cicilline, Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Roberts, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Congressman Patrick Kennedy, Congressman James Langevin, Attorney General Patrick Lynch, Secretary of State Ralph Mollis, and General Treasurer Frank Caprio.
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Former honorees Robin Wilkinson '06, Dr. Beverly Swan '03 and 2007 Advocacy & Volunteerism Award Presenter Sgt. Angela Denault
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Former Women of Excellence Award recipients Lynne Urbani (Blue Cross & Blue Shield of RI), Susan Connery (Johnson & Wales University), Dr. Beverly Swan (University of Rhode Island), Lisa Churchville (NBC10), Jodi Glass, Au.D. (Clothesline Project), and Robin Wilkinson (US Postal Service) were also in attendance. Women's Center of Rhode Island Executive Director, Kyle A. Macdonald welcomed everyone to the Fifth Annual Women of Excellence Awards Luncheon by acknowledging the former honorees, and the public officials as well as thanking the event sponsors. In addition, she addressed the financial difficulties plaguing the Women's Center of RI and other non-profits across the state.
"In the last three years we have cut nearly $200,000 from our budget without taking any services away from our clients," she said. "Other non-profit agencies in Rhode Island are faced with similar budget cuts and we need individuals like yourselves to give whatever you can." Macdonald also introduced the Mistress of Ceremonies, the host of Coast 93.3's Vital Women, Donna Mac.
All of those in attendance were touched by the inspiring and sometimes heartbreaking stories told by the honorees as they accepted their awards. The acceptance speeches included acknowledgement of the roles of families of various make-ups in the success of each honoree. Perez thanked her friends and parents for helping her raise her two sons, Women's Fund of Rhode Island Executive Director Marcia Cone-Tighe acknowledged the group of women who helped form the Fund, Guinguing sited her mother as being a significant reason for her positive outlook on life, Burke spoke more of her pride in her children and her husband than her television announcing career, McDonough-Roddy called her mother's death a turning point in her life, and Vogel thanked her wife for her 18 years of love and support.
This event was made possible thanks to the generous support of several sponsors. These supporters include: Citizens Bank Foundation, Providence College, Spagnolo Gisness & Associates, Inc., the BIG EAST Conference, AAA, AIPSO, Dimeo Construction Co., Planned Parenthood of RI, Trinity Repertory Company, RI Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Thank you also to our media sponsors: Clear Channel Radio-Coast 93.3, WHJJ and B101.
The Women's Center of Rhode Island would like to thank the following sponsors of the 2007 Women of Excellence Awards Luncheon.
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Presenting Sponsors
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Excellent Supporter
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Honoring Sponsors
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Supporting Sponsors
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BIG EAST Conference
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Friends
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AAA
AIPSO
Dimeo Construction Company Planned Parenthood of RI RI Coalition Against Domestic Violence Trinity Repertory Company |
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