Tanzi Honored By YWCA as Rising Political Star

Rep. Teresa Tanzi has been honored as a rising political star at the fourth annual Women Holding Office Celebration by the YWCA of Northern Rhode Island.

The event is held annually to honor outstanding women elected to public office, and to encourage more women to step forward and run for office themselves.

Tanzi, a first-term Democrat who represents District 34 in Narragansett and South Kingstown, took the opportunity to urge other women, especially those currently volunteering behind the scenes for other candidates, to run for office themselves.

“There are so many women I know who are like me – women who want real change in the world but are busy with families, work and other commitments. My message is that you can’t wait until you have the time because for most women, that time will never come. Now is the time when we urgently need women’s voices and representation in politics. We need women who want change to run for office now, not ‘someday,’” Tanzi said.

Hosted by Kati Machtley, the director of the Women’s Summit at Bryant University, the Women Holding Office Celebration was held Monday, April 30, at Bryant University.

Providence City Councilwoman Sabina Matos was also named a rising political star at the event, and six female officeholders were honored with the Isabelle Ahearn O’Neill Award, named after Rhode Island’s first female state legislator, elected in 1922: Sen. Donna M. Nesselbush (D-Dist. 15, Pawtucket), General Treasurer Gina M. Raimondo, former state senator and three-time Democratic gubernatorial candidate Myrth York, former U.S. rep. Claudine Schneider, Bristol Town Administrator Diane C. Mederos and former East Providence School Committee member Nancy Stevens.

Release courtesy of the Legislative Press Bureau.