SENATE RESOLUTION HONORING SANDRA LAKE FOR HER EXTRAORDINARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO WOMEN AND COMMUNITIES IN RHODE ISLAND

S3007

2026 -- S 3007
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LC005971
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N
HONORING SANDRA LAKE FOR HER EXTRAORDINARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO
WOMEN AND COMMUNITIES IN RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By:
Senators Quezada, Dimitri, Ujifusa, Appollonio, Murray, Famiglietti,
Thompson, Lauria, Valverde, and Raptakis

Date Introduced:
March 05, 2026

Referred To:
Recommended for Immediate Consideration
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WHEREAS, Sandra Lake was born in San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic, and
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immigrated to the United States in 1999 with her three young daughters, bringing with her a
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strong spirit, faith, and dedication to community service; and
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WHEREAS, In 2001, empowered by all of the support she received upon arriving in our
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state, Sandra established the Extraordinary Woman Award to recognize and celebrate the
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achievements of women from all walks of life, and became the first person in the state to formally
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organize an annual observance of International Women’s Day on March 8th; and
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WHEREAS, The Extraordinary Woman Award grew into the Woman Development
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Institute (WDI), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which this year marks 25 years of service
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dedicated to leadership development, educational workshops, and support for women, youth, and
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families throughout Rhode Island; and
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WHEREAS, Under Sandra’s leadership as Founder and Executive Director, WDI has
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prioritized inclusivity by offering bilingual programs, translation services, and removing financial
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barriers in order that all members of the community have the opportunity to participate and
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benefit; and
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WHEREAS, Sandra has built a distinguished career as an educator at the high school and
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university levels, earning both a Bachelor of Arts in Education and a Master of Science in
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Community Services, and has consistently demonstrated resilience and determination in
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overcoming challenges as an immigrant; and

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WHEREAS, Sandra is a loving mother to her three daughters, Glamirssy, Eivony, and
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Diandra, and proud grandmother of six. Together with her husband, Domingo, they have
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cultivated a family deeply engaged in supporting the mission of the Woman Development
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Institute; and
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WHEREAS, Inspired by her Christian faith and by the example of civil rights leaders
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such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks, Sandra continues to advance the empowerment of
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women and strengthen communities across Rhode Island; now, therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby honors Sandra Lake
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for her outstanding leadership, tireless advocacy, and transformative contributions to women and
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families in the state; and be it further
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RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is directed to transmit a duly
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certified copy of this resolution to Sandra Lake.
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