Vella-Wilkinson, Pisaturo to recieve Women in Achievement Awards

By Kelcy Dolan
Posted 8/30/16

For their 12th annual Women of Achievement luncheon, the Young Women's Christian Association of Rhode Island is recognizing 13 accomplished women in the fields of industry culture and public service. Two of the recipients are Warwick

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Vella-Wilkinson, Pisaturo to recieve Women in Achievement Awards

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For their 12th annual Women of Achievement luncheon, the Young Women’s Christian Association of Rhode Island is recognizing 13 accomplished women in the fields of industry culture and public service. Two of the recipients are Warwick residents, Councilwoman Camille Vella-Wilkinson and Laura Pisaturo.

The Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) is a statewide organization focused on “eliminating racism and empowering women” and is based out of Woonsocket.

Vella-Wilkinson is being recognized for her efforts for equality. While in the Navy she helped to develop the Command managed Equal Opportunity Program. She has continued to advocate for equality and civil rights in her position as Commissioner of the Rhode Island Commission for Human Rights.

Vella-Wilkinson noted that John F. Kennedy issued the Pay Equity Act in the 1960s but women continue to have to fight for “equal pay for equal work.”

“We can’t just sit around waiting for our government to fix all the ills and inequities in our society, because it can move at a glacial pace. We can do the work. We need to tell females from elementary schools to senior centers that when we come together we have the power and ability to make change,” Vella-Wilkinson said.

Pisaturo, a graduate from Suffolk University Law School, has dedicated her career to public service. After holding a position at a Hinckley, Allen & Snyder, LLP she has worked in the Attorney General’s office, Day One’s Sexual Assault and Trauma Center. She is currently the chairperson of the Rhode Island Parole board.

She has always been an advocate for equal rights and fights social injustice concerns facing women, children and the LGBT community.

Pisaturo said that when you are as passionate as she is about social justice, the work you do is not for recognition or reward, but she is honored to be included among a “strong group of women” selected for the 2016 Women in Achievement Award.

“Role models are key to empowering young girls and Rhode Island is lucky to have YWCA-RI at the forefront of programming for young girls and for supporting the work of so many women leaders in Rhode Island,” Pisaturo said.

The 12th Annual Women of Achievement Award Luncheon will be held on Tuesday, September 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Kirkbrae Country Club, 197 Old River Rd., Lincoln. Tickets are $50 per person and only available until September 9. Tickets can be purchased at www.womenofachievementri.org or by contacting Lisa Piscatelli at 769-7450.

For more information on the Women of Achievement Awards or YWCA visit www.ywcari.org.

Comments

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  • richardcorrente

    Congrats to Camille Vella-Wilkinson. I didn't know about the Navy "Equal Opportunity Program" but several times, I have witnessed her in the City Council being fair to all, even those who opposed her. On one particular occasion the Council agreed to allow the public to speak for a certain amount of time. Later that evening they tried to shorten the time but Camille wouldn't allow it. "No. We gave our word" was her exact statement, I believe. On another occasion, I was the one who disagreed with her and she seemed just as interested in hearing my point of view as she was to tell me hers. I left that "equality"conversation with a respect for her that has grown ever since. I have followed her efforts for State Rep and I admit that she is working as hard on her campaign as I am on mine, maybe harder. She is an excellent advocate for equal rights and is very deserving of this award.

    Richard Corrente

    Endorsed Democrat for Mayor

    Tuesday, August 30, 2016 Report this

  • Thecaptain

    Rick, now you've put me over the edge. You have witnessed her be fair to all? I guess you forgot how she fought against Bob Cushman's presentation on pension debt. I guess you forgot how she continued to call Bob Cushman a "hobbiest". I guess you forgot how she circumvented the hiring process to hire Kathleen Avila as the city auditor even though the job description required 5 years of governmental auditing with a BA yet she had none of the required credentials, and she passed over several people who did have the proper credentials. I guess you forgot how she was recorded at a council meeting with your other buddy Travis, using vulgarity and planning how to stop me from speaking during the open mic session (when I wasnt even present). I guess you forgot how she was violated by the AG and fined for circumventing the OMA rules. I guess you forgot how she openly lied and published false defamatory comments about me which resulted in her being sued. I guess you forgot how she referred to the people who go to the council meetings as A HOLES in an email thatshe circulated to the council and other city workers. I guess you forgot about how she disparaged 3 Warwick residents who testified at the state house calling them haters and Warwick Stinks. I guess you forgot about all of her lies, pandering, inefficiencies, and dirty politics. I guess you just forgot the reality of what kind of person this woman is.

    Wednesday, August 31, 2016 Report this