Raimondo appoints 12 to restored R.I. Commission on Women

GOV. GINA M. RAIMONDO has restored the R.I. Commission on Women with 12 new appointees. / PBN FILE PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO
GOV. GINA M. RAIMONDO has restored the R.I. Commission on Women with 12 new appointees. / PBN FILE PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

PROVIDENCE – Gov. Gina M. Raimondo has restored the R.I. Commission on Women with 12 new appointees.
“We must stand behind our families and support one of our greatest and most underutilized resources – women,” Raimondo said in a statement. “This Women’s History Month, I’m thrilled to take the opportunity to restore the R.I. Commission on Women. These new members will play an important role in promoting equity, strengthening our economy and showing the leaders of tomorrow they can do anything they set their mind to.”

The commission, which will have its first meeting next month, will be charged with creating an equal pay certification status, which will be awarded to Rhode Island businesses that show a commitment to equal pay practices, Raimondo said.

This announcement builds off of last month’s launch of the Pay Equity Tip Line, a telephone line allowing women and men to report employers who violate the Rhode Island law that bans gender-based wage discrimination.

The commission will be chaired by Rebecca Webber, an adviser, Rx merchandising strategy & analytics for CVS Health Corp.

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“I’m inspired by Governor Raimondo’s proactive approach to ensuring gender equality, and it is an honor to be chosen chair of Rhode Island’s Commission on Women,” Webber said in a statement. “As the first woman governor, and as a mom, Governor Raimondo is showing strong leadership on the need to continue to push for equity to improve individual opportunities, local communities and the state’s economy. I am excited to be a part of the governor’s efforts, beginning with closing the gender pay gap through Equal Pay Certification Status. I have full confidence that the commission will take a hands-on, energetic and productive approach to achieving our goals.”

The commission will spend the spring developing details and guidelines for implementing an equal pay certification status.

The R.I. Commission on Women was established in 1970 to advocate, educate and advise regarding issues impacting the status of women in Rhode Island. Joining the 12 members appointed by the governor will be three appointees from the House, three appointees from the Senate, and eight members from state agencies selected by the commission.

The other commission members are:

  • Betty Bernal, a Gloria Gemma Resource Center Foundation consultant.
  • Maribeth Calabro, an evaluation specialist/i3 Coordinator for Providence Schools, who this fall will be returning to her role as a special education teacher at the middle level.
  • Adriana Dawson, director of employer outreach & engagement at Roger Williams University.
  • Betsy Dennigan, an attorney and emergency nurse who serves as a vice president at East Bay Community Health Centers and as clinical safety officer at the Miriam Hospital Emergency Department.
  • Elizabeth Francis, executive director of the R.I. Council for the Humanities.
  • Stephanie Gonzalez, Central Falls City Councilwoman and member of the Central Falls School Board of Trustees.
  • Leah Williams Metts, director of community engagement and outreach for Opportunities Industrialization Center of Rhode Island, providing job training and placement.
  • Josephine O’Connell, now retired, a former Sister of Mercy.
  • Vimala Phongsavanh, director of programs for the Center for Southeast Asians.
  • Tejal Tarro, who created Centered Change, an organization that offers workshops, lessons, discussions, retreats and other experiences for women.
  • Barbara Wong, executive director of Providence CityArts for Youth Inc.

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