March came in like a lion– and we plan to continue to roar at the State House all month long!
RI NOW planning is happening all the time, and the first part of the newsletter highlights three of those upcoming meetings.
This week in particular will see the continued launch of several bills of interest to RI NOW, with accompanying events. Check out the second section of the newsletter for details and be sure to connect with us onsocial media to stay up to date!
And many of our coalition organizations have great events coming up as well- so read the final section to find out more.
Look out for our new Membership Co-Chairs, Nika Lomazzo and Peggy Mello, and send anyone with interest in RI NOW their way:
We’re adding new members to the Executive Committee, so stay tuned and please reach out if you are interested!
RI NOW Meeting Dates
1) Legislative Committee Meeting on March 5th from 6 to 8 pm at AS220 (115 Empire Street in Providence)
We will be talking about bills/hearings/coalitions related to abortion rights, affordable childcare, contraception, equal pay, gun reform, health insurance, home care, minimum wage, pregnancy, and trans panic.
We’ll also be discussing a special advocacy event we are organizing related to affordable childcare.
2) RI NOW Book Group on March 7th from 6:30 to 7:30 at SEG (10 Davol Square in Providence).
We will be discussing chapters 1, 2 and 4 of bell hooks’ book, Feminism in for Everybody. It’s available FREE as an ebook at Google.
3) Personal Legislator Letter Writing Session on March 25th from 10 am to 1:30 pm. Please RSVP to get location. Mimosas and muffins provided.
It’s important to send your legislators a handwritten note to encourage and/or thank them on the issues/bills that matter to you. Supplies provided.
Stay tuned for details on an Equal Pay Day event on April 10th!
Upcoming Legislative Events
1) Contraception bill press conference- Tuesday, March 6th, 3pm in the State House Library (2nd floor of Rhode Island State House, 82 Smith St.. Providence, RI)
Speakers will include:
Sen. Dawn Euer and Rep. Katherine Kazarian, sponsors of the legislation
Dr. Emily White (American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists)
Hilary Levey Freidman (President, Rhode Island National Organization for Women)
Craig O’Connor (Planned Parenthood of Southern New England)
2) Senate and House Hearings on Guns- Tuesday, March 6th, 3:30-4:30 pm in room 313 for Senate and House Hearings on Guns. For more info click here.
3) Senate Hearing on Minimum Wage- Wednesday, March 7th beginning around 4pm in Senate Room 212.
Upcoming Coalition/Partner Group Events
1) 4th Annual International Women’s Day (Nevertheless She Persisted: Women fighting all type of discrimination against women) on Thursday, March 8th at Slater Mill Historic Site, 67 Roosevelt Ave, Pawtucket. You can complete your free registration here.
Look for the RI NOW table at the event from 10:30-12:00!
4) Cocktails & Conversations: Gender Equity in the Workplace by the Women’s Fund of Rhode Island on Wednesday, March 28th at the home of the President of Roger Williams University (45 Ferry Road in Bristol) from 6-8 pm. Click here to find out more.
Please consider becoming a RI NOW member! Membership dues are on a sliding scale from $10-35 annually and the impact you will make as a member is priceless.
