The Extraordinary Woman Award

Since March of 2001, The Extraordinary Woman Award has been the only event in the Latino Community that recognizes the outstanding work and accomplishments that women contribute in a multitude of areas within our community, contributing everyday to the improvement of the State of Rhode Island.  This event is unique because it involves women from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds, regardless of economic status, creed or religion.

We have chosen to celebrate this event on March 8^th each year because this date also commemorates International Woman’s Day.  We consider this an important and historical day because from the beginning of humanity women have been limited to assuming caregivers roles.  As a result, women have been perceived as playing a “secondary” role in the development of our society.

Over the years women have also demonstrated their intelligence, great strength and ability to also contribute to the changes and the development of our communities.  Such contributions have been remarkable in the economic and social fields, as well as while women began to hold elected office.

During the past eleven years we have recognized a hundred distinguished women, including Patricia Martinez, Director for DCYF;  Myrth York, Chair Transition Team for Mayor elect Angel Taveras; Representative Grace Díaz; Melba Depeña, Executive Director of The Providence Human Relations; Deborah Ruggiero, Director of  Community Development for Citadel radio and host of Amazing woman; Juana Horton, Chair of the Hispanic Chamber of Business.

Sandra Lake y Margarita Cedeño

Pat Mastors, Anchor, channel 12;  Adriana Dawson, Small Business Development; Rep. Anastasia Williams; Dr. Patricia Flanagan, Pediatrician at Hasbro Children’s Hospital; Clare Eckert, Elizabeth Burke-Bryant, Executive Director of RI Kids Count; Gertrude Jones, Director of Diversity Department of Lifespan; Doris Blanchard, senior representative for the division of community division of Sovereign Bank; Ana Novais, Executive Director of RI Department of Health among others.  

We have also had very exciting keynote speakers such as Cynthia García-Coll, The Hon. Elizabeth Roberts, Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island; Milagros Ortiz Bosch, Former Vice President of the Dominican Republic; Teresa Paiva-Weed, Senate president of Rhode Island and Senator for Illinois Yris Martinez, Dra. Margarita Cedeño de Fernandez, First lady of de Dominican Republic, Gina Raimondo, general treasurer of Rhode Island, Donna Policastro, Executive Director of the Rhode Island State Nurses Association and founder of Rhode Island Institute Charter High School and Middle College.