Amazing Women Rhode Island

MARY BURKE is the longest-tenured coach in the history of women’s and men’s basketball in Rhode Island. She has coached the women’s basketball team at  Bryant University for over 30 years and has over 415 wins. Coach Burke is one of the few people who coaches a RI college sport and is a native of Rhode Island.  She’s coaching these women on competition, winning, and life lessons. 

MARCELA BETANCUR, director of the Latino Policy Institute at Roger Williams University, discusses equity, housing, education, and the economic contributions of the Hispanic community in the state.

Since 1969 Meals on Wheels has been delivering meals to the homes of   seniors, veterans, friends, and neighbors- over 1200 a day!  Executive director  MEGHAN GRADY explains how volunteers bring more than a meal; it’s a smiling   face and a personal connection to so many Rhode Islanders. 

How’s your financial health? Are you saving for your kid’s education and your retirement? KAREN EMMA is founder and president of Universal Wealth Management. She discusses the myths about Medicare and how to spend less than you take in!

Black history and story-telling is in VALERIE TUTSON’s DNA. She’s an award-winning story-teller with songs and stories from her travels in South Africa and West Africa. She’s a Brown University graduate with a Master’s in theater art and a Bachelor’s   in her self-designed major of Storytelling as a Communications Art.

Rhode Island’s Commerce Secretary is LIZ TANNER , a URI graduate with a law degree from Western New England University. She served as the Director of the Dept. of Business Regulations (DBR), regulating commercial licensing, cannabis, gaming; and she understands the needs of small business.

The Narragansett Indians have been in Rhode Island for over 30,000 years, according to archeological evidence and oral history. LOREN SPEARS , a Narragansett tribal member and executive director of the Tomaquag Museum, discusses the history, culture and future of the indigenous people. 

You may not think twice about your next family meal, but food insecurity impacts  11% of Rhode Island households.  LISA ROTH BLACKMAN , chief philanthropy officer at the Rhode Island Food Bank, discusses  health equity, community farms, reducing food insecurity, and the important role the RI Food Bank plays in supplying local food pantries.  

On any given night over 1200 people are homeless in Rhode Island. 30% of renters cannot afford to pay their rent. Despite legislative initiatives, affordable housing and homelessness are major policy issues.  JENNIFER BARRERA , chief strategist with the RI Coalition for the Homeless discusses what really needs to happen.

You know her as the morning co-anchor on WJAR TV, but ALISON BOLOGNA , is also a businesswoman and entrepreneur who started SHRI Studio in Pawtucket.  She discusses "showing up for others" and how her team of yoga instructors bring support and inspiration to students, seniors, and those with developmental disabilities to all corners of the state. 

Coastal management of the 420 miles of coastline really matters in the Ocean State.  PAULA BONTEMPI, Dean of URI School of Oceanography, discusses the importance of the Blue Economy in our state, coastal resiliency, and the lure of Narragansett Bay.