Rhode Island Foundation Honors Local Women for Innovation

The Rhode Island Foundation has honored four local women for their bold ideas for improving life in Rhode Island.

Barbara Somers and Laura Skrobe of South Kingstown, Mary Flynn of Narragansett and Kathleen Castro of Saunderstown were recognized at a reception honoring the 10 finalists for a $300,000 Rhode Island Innovation Fellowship. The grants are made possible through the vision and generosity of philanthropists Letitia and John Carter.

The proposal from Somers, Skrobe and Castro of the University of Rhode Island's College of Environment and Life Sciences Department of Fisheries suggested exploring the feasibility of rearing blue crabs in fresh water ponds in Rhode Island for commercial sale.

Flynn aimed to reduce public health care costs by showing low-income RITE Care insurance recipients how to improve their diet and health through healthy, low-cost recipes.

“We recognize our finalists for their ambitious strategies for addressing challenges and creating change in Rhode Island,” said Neil Steinberg, the Foundation’s president and CEO. “We are appreciative of Letitia and John Carter’s devotion to Rhode Island and are pleased to play a role in transforming their dreams into one of our boldest initiatives.”

Now in its third year, the program is designed to stimulate solutions by Rhode Islanders to Rhode Island challenges. The local proposals were selected from more than 340 applications.

“Letitia and I applaud each of the applicants on their talent, ambition and commitment to our state. We look forward to seeing the constructive change they generate as a result of these fellowships,” said John Carter.

In addition to recognizing the 10 finalists, the Foundation awarded two applicants -- David Dadekian of Coventry and Amy Bernhardt of Providence --  $300,000 grants over three years.

Dadekian’s project, the Eat Drink Rhode Island Central Market, will house a number of food and drink related businesses, including a public market, commercial production and processing facilities, and an educational component.

Bernhardt's Colorfast project will create a state-of-the-art research and manufacturing pilot facility for the design and production of digitally printed textiles.

This was the Fellowship initiative’s third round of funding. Previous rounds generated more than 600 applications.

The Rhode Island Foundation is the largest and most comprehensive funder of nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island.  In 2013, the Foundation made grants of more than $31 million to organizations addressing the most pressing issues and needs of the state’s diverse communities. Through leadership, fundraising and grantmaking activities, often in partnership with individuals and organizations, the Foundation is helping Rhode Island reach its true potential. For more information, visit rifoundation.org.