Captain Christine Kelley of the Warwick Police Department was among the 25 female police officers recognized Thursday during the second annual International Women’s Day Celebration at the State House.

Kelley has served with Warwick Police for almost 25 years, since she joined the force in 1989. She graduated third overall in her class at Rhode Island Municipal Police Training Academy in Lincoln, and was one of only six females in her class. She was also the first female police trainee to win the Police Officers Commission on Standards and Training Firearms Award.

She was recognized again in October of 2009 when she was awarded the Department of Defense award for her work supporting employees who also serve in the Rhode Island National Guard and Reserve.

But she never expected to receive a call from Senator Donna Nesselbush to be recognized on International Women’s Day.

“It was a pleasant surprise when the senator called me,” said Kelley after Thursday afternoon’s ceremony. “All the women in the room here are pioneers in the field.”

Kelley doesn’t consider herself a pioneer, as she followed the path paved by the female officers who came before her.

Kelley is only the second female police captain in Warwick Police history, and hopes to continue “carrying the torch.” In her role as captain, she is Officer-In-Charge of the department’s Prosecution Office.

Kelley also hopes that more women will be inspired to join the police force in the future.

Nesselbush and Representative Elaine Coderre hosted Thursday’s ceremony. During her opening statements, Nesselbush said that the inaugural International Women’s Day celebration at the State House honored the highest-ranking female in each of the departments of the state government. After hearing about Lt. Karen Pinch’s appointment to the command staff of the Rhode Island State Police (the first female to do so), Nesselbush knew that the second annual celebration would honor female officers throughout Rhode Island.

“Part of the point of International Women’s Day is to look abroad and join hands with our sisters,” said Nesselbush, who was inspired to start an International Women’s Day celebration after seeing the celebration that occurs in Spain to honor the day. “We gather here today to honor 25 true pioneers who shattered a particular proverbial glass ceiling.”

During her search for the highest-ranking and longest-serving officers, Nesselbush heard stories of females being turned away from academies in the past, male officers not wanting to work with a female officer and even cases of sexual harassment. Although things have gotten better, Nesselbush acknowledges that there is still work to do; during their search, she and Coderre learned that there are still police departments that do not have any female officers on the force.

“We need to do this for our daughters, for our granddaughters. To show women it can be done,” said Coderre.

In addition to Kelley, Pinch and the other female officers, the Honorable Arlene Violet, the first female Attorney General, and Assistant Attorney General Stacey Veroni were also honored for their achievements in the field of law.

“I am honored to receive this award but even more proud to be here with all of you,” said Violet.

Each honoree also received a miniature etched glass globe, courtesy of General Treasurer Gina Raimondo.