2023 -- S 0007

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LC000150

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

CONGRATULATING AND THANKING DEBORAH L. PERRY FOR TWENTY-FOUR

YEARS OF LEADERSHIP AND DEDICATED SERVICE TO YWCA RHODE ISLAND AND

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Senator Valarie J. Lawson

     Date Introduced: January 10, 2023

     Referred To: Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar

     WHEREAS, Deborah L. Perry gained the distinguished designation as the youngest

President and CEO of YWCA Rhode Island when she was appointed in July of 1999, at the age

of 36. She had previously served as the nonprofit's Development Director from 1997-1999; and

     WHEREAS, During her tenure, Ms. Perry focused her talents and vision on increasing

the YWCA's assets, adding a panoply of innovative programs to address the needs and challenges

of many Rhode Island communities, and instituting numerous plans that have provided for the

long term financial stability and success of the organization; and

     WHEREAS, Ms. Perry has achieved myriad advancements in YWCA programing and

services including the establishment of innovative programs for middle school girls, the

acquisition and revitalization of the YWCA/Nickerson Community Center in Providence, the

creation of media celebrating the aspirations and accomplishments of Rhode Island women, and

the formation of a statewide organization through the merger of Woonsocket-based YWCA

Northern Rhode Island into Central Falls-based YWCA Greater Rhode Island; and

     WHEREAS, In addition, Ms. Perry served as the inaugural chair of the Sheila Skip

Nowell Leadership Academy and managed Gateway to Independence, which serves more than

100 veterans each year; and

     WHEREAS, The Chair of the YWCA Rhode Island YWCA’s Board of Directors

fittingly praised Ms. Perry's accomplishments stating, "Deborah’s leadership, vision,

determination, as well as her unassuming ‘can do’ approach, have all served to increase the

influence and impact of the YWCA"; and

     WHEREAS, Deborah Perry's achievements and advancements for and with YWCA

Rhode Island have been beneficial to many, many Rhode Islanders and she is worthy of our

gratitude and recognition; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby congratulates and

thanks Deborah Perry for her dedicated leadership and service to YWCA Rhode Island on the

occasion of her retirement as the organization's President and CEO. We moreover wish her good

health and continued success in all her future endeavors; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Deborah L. Perry.

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