Women of Achievement Awards Presented To 11 Honorees Sept. 27

is pleased to announce its Women of Achievement Award Winners: 

YWCA Rhode Island will honor eleven local women, including Elizabeth
Chace, Patricia Martinez, and Roberta Richman with this year’s Women
of Achievement Awards.  The eighth annual awards luncheon will be held
on Thursday, Sept. 27, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Kirkbrae Country Club in Lincoln.

Elizabeth “Liz” Chace has successfully led two careers - one in human services and the other in real estate as the co-founder of Residential Properties, Ltd. Her experiences in one sector impacted her philanthropic and professional pursuits. Through intense commitment to community, Chace has long advocated for women and children. She received an honorary degree from Roger Williams University and has served on the Brown University Corporation on behalf of student athletes, alumni, and various committees. She also devotes incredible time and talent to several non-profit and community organizations.
Chace has received many commendations for both her career and philanthropic accomplishments.

Patricia Martinez is the executive director for the Center of Family Support and Student Services at Central Falls High School. Martinez was the first Latina confirmed by the Rhode Island Senate for a
Cabinet level position when she became director of the Department of Children, Youth and Families in 2005. Throughout her career, Martinez has become a practitioner and advocate for social justice through
community organizing, promoting positive youth development, education, family engagement, and building partnerships with community and faith-based organizations and educational systems, to ensure the
delivery of services to low-income families. Martinez received a bachelor's degree in social work from Rhode Island College, and a master's degree in management and human services from Springfield
College. Martinez was also awarded an honorary degree of doctor in humanities from Rhode Island College.

Roberta Richman has held numerous positions at the Rhode Island Department of Corrections during the course of her almost 33 years of employment. In her last position held from 2001 until July 1, 2012, she served as assistant director of rehabilitative services overseeing community corrections including probation, parole, and home confinement, and all prison based programming and treatment including
education and vocational training, health services, mental health and substance abuse treatment and many specialized counseling programs. During the ten years of her tenure as warden, she introduced many
innovative gender responsive programs for female offenders. Her primary focus throughout her career has been on preparing incarcerated men and women for their reentry into the community upon release and
the development of activities designed to bridge the gap between institutional services and community corrections.

“YWCA is pleased to host this celebration for the eighth year in a row to recognize the accomplishments of women across industry, culture, and public service,” says Deborah L. Perry, president/chief executive
officer of YWCA Rhode Island. “We see the honorees as true role models for girls and young women growing up in Rhode Island.”

The 2012 Women of Achievement honorees also include: Toby Ayers, executive director, Rhode Island for Community & Justice; Carrie Bridges Feliz, team lead Health Disparities & Access to Care, Rhode Island Department of Health; Hilary Jones, executive director, Girls Rock! Rhode Island; Carol O’Donnell, owner/president, CRM Modular Homes and Emerald ReConstruction; Adeola Oredola, executive director, Youth In Action; Valerie Perry, district governor nominee, Rotary District 7950; Carolyn Rafaelian, owner and creative director, Alex & Ani; Barbara Sokoloff, president, Barbara Sokoloff Associates, Inc.

YWCA Rhode Island is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. Women of Achievement Awards are based on achievements in these areas and bring attention to the accomplishments of women in industry, culture and public service in local communities.

For more details about underwriting opportunities or to purchase tickets visit, www.womenofachievementRI.org or contact YWCA Rhode Island at 401-769-7450.