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9/29/2025
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Rep. Alzate honored by Women’s Fund of Rhode Island
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 STATE HOUSE – Rep. Karen Alzate was honored by the Women’s Fund of Rhode Island (WFRI) with the group’s Susan Farmer Advocacy Award. House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick) presented the award to Representative Alzate on Sept. 25 at the annual Women Leading Change event.
“It’s a tremendous honor to be recognized by the Women’s Fund of Rhode Island and I thank all those involved for being incredible partners over the years to fight for fairness and inclusion throughout our state,” said Representative Alzate (D-Dist. 60, Pawtucket, Central Falls).
“Representative Alzate has been a steadfast advocate for policies that support the economic security of women and families—especially in communities that have historically been marginalized,” said WFRI Chief Executive Officer Kelly Nevins. “From championing fair wages to expanding access to affordable housing, she brings both lived experience and legislative skill to the fight for equity. We’re honored to recognize her leadership with the Susan Farmer Advocacy Award.”
The award is named after Susan L. Farmer, who became Rhode Island’s first female statewide officeholder when she was elected Secretary of State in 1983. The award recognizes her legacy of advocacy to advance women’s participation, representation, and leadership in government and public policy. Honorees are selected by the Women’s Fund of Rhode Island for their advocacy efforts on behalf of Rhode Island’s women.
Representative Alzate was honored with the award due to her work advancing equity-focused legislation, championing underserved communities, and creating spaces for diverse voices to be heard and valued. Such efforts include her payday lending ban, which ends high interest rates charged by payday lenders that trapped people in cycles of debt, and her legislation that supports women in the workplace experiencing menopause, making Rhode Island the first state to explicitly enact these workplace protections.
Other honorees at the event included Cathy Andreozzi of The Tori Lynn Andreozzi Foundation who was presented with the Simone Joyeaux Leadership Award and Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island received the Organizational Equity Award for its institutional commitment to equity in workplace practice.
Photo: House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi and Rep. Karen Alzate at the Women’s Fund of RI annual Women Leading Change event.
For more information, contact:
Andrew Caruolo, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-6124
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