HOUSE RESOLUTION CELEBRATING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE WOMEN’S FUND OF RHODE ISLAND (WFRI)

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2026 -- H 8225
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LC004597
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
CELEBRATING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE WOMEN’S
FUND OF RHODE ISLAND (WFRI)

Introduced By:
Representatives Fogarty, Ackerman, Carson, Tanzi, Boylan, Cortvriend,
Diaz, Casimiro, Shekarchi, and Blazejewski

Date Introduced:
March 03, 2026

Referred To:
House read and passed
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WHEREAS, The Women’s Fund of Rhode Island was founded in 2001 as a statewide,
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nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing gender equity through research and
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data, policy advocacy, strategic planning, leadership development, and civic engagement; and
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WHEREAS, WFRI is “the only statewide women’s fund, dedicated exclusively to
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advancing gender equity in Rhode Island”; and
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WHEREAS, Issues advanced by WFRI include women’s health, economic security, civic
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participation, and recognition of their interconnected impact on families and communities; and
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WHEREAS, Specific data and research produced by the Women’s Fund provides
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policymakers, advocates, employers, and community leaders to effectively enact and advance
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policy progress and public dialogue related to paid family and medical leave, caregiving and
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economic security, reproductive health access, and voter access and civic engagement; and
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WHEREAS, Through civic leadership and engagement, the Women’s Fund invests in
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leadership pipelines for women and allies statewide, strengthens democracy by supporting civic
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participation, voter engagement and public leadership, and serves as a trusted convener at the
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intersection of community, policy, and philanthropy; and
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WHEREAS, Utilizing collaboration and partnership, “the Women’s Fund of Rhode
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Island advances solutions that benefit families and communities statewide”; and
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WHEREAS, Celebrating and recognizing the 25th Anniversary of the Women’s Fund of
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Rhode Island during National Women’s History Month highlights and honors “both the legacy

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and ongoing work of advancing gender equity in Rhode Island”; now, therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby
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celebrates the 25th Anniversary of the Women’s Fund of Rhode Island and extends our gratitude
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for their efforts to improve the health, economic security, and civic engagement of women and
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girls across the State; and be it further
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RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to
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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Kelly Nevins, CEO of the Women's Fund of
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Rhode Island (WFRI).
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