Junior League of Rhode Island Hosts Women’s Leadership Roundtable
Moderated by DBR Director Elizabeth Tanner, Esq., panel of RI leaders to discuss women as catalysts for change on International Women’s Day
WARWICK, R.I. – As part of a slate of events to celebrate the organization’s 100th anniversary, The Junior League of Rhode Island (JLRI) hosted a Women’s Leadership Roundtable Breakfast on Tuesday, March 8, which is International Women’s Day.
More than 70 people attended the event, which featured a roundtable discussion moderated by Elizabeth Tanner, Esq., Director of the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation, about women as catalysts for lasting community change.
Tanner, a current member of JLRI, commented, “I am proud and inspired to be part of the JLRI’s 100th Anniversary and celebration on International Women’s Day. Having been a part of JLRI’s history and now currently a governmental executive, my work aligns with JLRI’s vision of women as catalysts for lasting community change. Congratulations JLRI!”
Panelists included Maria Kasparian, Executive Director, Edesia, Inc.; Barbara Papitto, founder and trustee of the Papitto Opportunity Connection; Patricia Raub, a founder of the Providence Community Library; and Vanessa Volz, Executive Director, Sojourner House.
“As we celebrate Women’s History Month, discussions about how we can support and uplift women in our community are so important,” said Barbara Papitto, founder and trustee of the Papitto Opportunity Connection. “At POC we work every day to identify, support and uplift women of color in Rhode Island and I’m glad the Junior League of Rhode Island is providing this opportunity to connect women leaders.”
Panelists discussed barriers they had faced in their various fields, including “having to force the attention of men in the room” when working in male-dominated fields.
They also talked about the passion, hard work, and skills that helped them succeed, and shared the advice they would give other women seeking to effect change:
Listen to the needs of those you are trying to serve.
Don’t forget youth, as they have a vested interest and creative ideas in helping their communities.
Keep looking forward versus just focusing on the crisis of the day.
Believe in yourself that you can figure it out.
Lead by example to start the change.
Invite diverse people to join you at the table.
Be intentional about diversity, equity and inclusion practices.
Understand that everyone’s [work-life] balance is different.
Learn how to prioritize and the power of saying ‘no.’”