The Senate of the State of Rhode Island has introduced a resolution honoring Sandra Lake for her significant contributions to women and communities within the state. Originally from the Dominican Republic, Sandra immigrated to the U.S. in 1999 and has since dedicated herself to community service. In 2001, she established the Extraordinary Woman Award to celebrate women's achievements and became the first to organize an annual observance of International Women's Day in Rhode Island. Her efforts led to the creation of the Woman Development Institute (WDI), a nonprofit organization that has been serving the community for 25 years by providing leadership development, educational workshops, and support for women, youth, and families.

Under Sandra's leadership as Founder and Executive Director, WDI has focused on inclusivity, offering bilingual programs and removing financial barriers to ensure community participation. Sandra is also an accomplished educator and a devoted mother and grandmother, whose work is inspired by her Christian faith and the legacy of civil rights leaders. The resolution recognizes her outstanding leadership, advocacy, and transformative impact on women and families in Rhode Island, and directs the Secretary of State to transmit a certified copy of the resolution to her.

Introduced By: Senator Ana B. Quezada
Date Introduced: March 05
Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration