This year's advocacy work was truly a team effort, and I want to offer special thanks to several individuals whose collaboration and commitment strengthened our efforts throughout the session:
- Maureen Thompson, for her partnership as Advocacy Co-Chair and for sharing her extensive experience in coalition building, legislative advocacy, and written and public testimony, which strengthened and informed our work throughout the session.
- Mary Chace, for her mentorship and steady guidance throughout the year, and for her letters to the editor and written testimony on behalf of several bills.
- Donnie McGee, for helping us better understand the role of lobbyists in RI and assisting with our member Advocacy Survey.
- Ande Diaz and Nina Rossomando for representing the league in the RI Civic Learning Coalition, and to Ande for her written and public testimony.
- Trish Sylvester and Maureen Thompson for representing the league in the RI Voting Rights Act Coalition, and to Trish, for her public testimony.
- Kristen Chambers for representing the league in the RI Coalition Against Gun Violence and for her written testimony.
- Christina Charie for representing the league in the RI Reproductive Freedom Coalition.
The 2026 legislative session brought a mix of successes and challenges. We celebrated several important victories, saw a number of promising bills come very close to passage, and watched many others be held for further study. While there is still much work ahead, the League's voice was heard at the State House, and our advocacy helped advance issues that matter to Rhode Islanders.
Thank you to everyone who testified, contacted legislators, attended hearings, participated in coalition work, and supported these efforts throughout the year. We look forward to building on this work during the 2027 legislative session.
Gene Thompson-Grove
LWVRI Board and 2026 Advocacy Co-Chair
