R 308
2025 -- S 1075
Enacted 05/15/2025

S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N
WELCOMING ELIZA REID, RENOWNED WRITER AND FORMER FIRST LADY OF ICELAND, TO THE RHODE ISLAND STATE HOUSE

Introduced By: Senators Lawson, Valverde, Lauria, Tikoian, Sosnowski, Rogers, LaMountain, Urso, Appollonio, and Britto

Date Introduced: May 15, 2025

     WHEREAS, Eliza Reid grew up on a farm near Ottawa, Canada. She later moved to
Ashton and was a student at Trinity College, University of Toronto, where she earned her
Bachelor's degree in International Relations, and later attained her Master's degree in Modern
History from St. Antony's College, Oxford University; and
     WHEREAS, In 2003, Eliza Reid moved to Iceland and became a freelance writer for
multiple Icelandic publications. From 2005 to 2008, she wrote for The Reykjavík Grapevine and
Iceland Review, and in 2012, she became an editor for Icelandair Stopover. In 2014, she co-
founded the Iceland Writers Retreat, an event which has garnered international acclaim; and
     WHEREAS, In 2004, Eliza Reid married Guðni Th. Jóhannesson, and in 2016, became
the First Lady of Iceland when her husband became the country's sixth President. During her
tenure as first lady, Eliza actively sought opportunities to advance and bring focus on gender
equality, entrepreneurship and innovation, tourism and sustainability. She also supported and
encouraged the country's writers and promoted its rich literary heritage; and
     WHEREAS, A bestselling author, Eliza Reid wrote Secrets of the Sprakkar: Iceland's
Extraordinary Women and How They Are Changing the World, published in 2022, and Death on
the Island, also known as Death of a Diplomat, published in 2025; and
     WHEREAS, Throughout her career, Eliza Reid has been a patron of many Icelandic
organizations, including the United Nations Association Iceland, is a Goodwill Ambassador for
SOS Children's Villages Iceland, was named a United Nations Special Ambassador for Tourism
and the Sustainable Development Goals, and has been honored with numerous nominations for
'Person of the Year' by multiple Icelandic media outlets, and honored in Berlin with an award on
International Women's Day; and
     WHEREAS, Eliza Reid has brought a panoply of opportunities and a wealth of literacy to
the people of Iceland and the world, and she has distinguished herself as a person worthy of our
recognition and admiration; now, therefore be it
     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby warmly welcomes
Eliza Reid to the Rhode Island State House. We furthermore congratulate her and wish her good
health, fulfillment, and much 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 Eliza Reid.
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LC002835
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