Blog

My name is Jenn Steinfeld and I am the Executive Director of the Women’s Fund of Rhode Island. The Women's Fund works every day to end gender bias and inequality in our state. We advocate for policy changes that create an equitable Rhode Island and promote women’s economic security. A critical aspect of leveling the playing field for women in the workforce is increased access to paid leave. In 2013, the Women’s Fund of Rhode Island and our Women’s Policy Institute fellows were instrumental in
Read More >>

In her acceptance speech for Best Supporting Actress at this year’s Academy Awards, Patricia Arquette championed women’s rights. “It’s our time to have wage equality once and for all and equal rights for women in the United States of America,” the Boyhood actress proclaimed. The crowd roared and feminists everywhere looked a lot like Meryl Streep and Jennifer Lopez, pumping our fists and nodding vigorously. It was an instant iconic feminist moment, the kind of moment that could reinvigorate the
Read More >>

I had a conversation with someone recently in which I was told I invested too much in language. We were talking about racism. My companion argued that white people can experience racism, while I argued that, by definition, racism is inapplicable to white people. I said white people can experience discrimination, but not racism. She pooh-poohed me and said, “That’s semantics. It’s all hatred.” In the moment, I didn’t know how to respond. How do you come back when your sparring partner invalidates
Read More >>

What happens after that dreaded knock on the door? A new film by Rhode Island independent film maker, Mitty Griffis Mirrer, brings us into the world of the thousands of American children whose lives are forever changed after their family receives word that a parent has been killed in combat or died while on active duty service. What happens after? The subject of Mrs. Mirrer's new documentary is this world of the Gold Star children, as they are now referred to, and their oyster-like adaptations
Read More >>

You probably know today is Veterans Day, honoring the people who sacrifice their health and lives on our behalf in the struggle for a more peaceful world. You might not know, however, that November is chock-full of important historical dates for women, and for the U.S. Check out these recent notable dates and history-changing people that, like our veterans, signify the hope and bravery it takes to push for change. Nov. 1 - First medical school for women, the Boston Female Medical College, opened
Read More >>

Lined up against the wall, there we were, all dressed in the same uniform: khaki pants and a navy blue polo. A mix of high school students, our attention focused on the electric board before us that diagrammed the rows of seats before us. Then, when a light came on, one of us would rush to its source and respond accordingly. This experience of watching for the lights and running errands for the members of Rhode Island’s House of Representatives who lit them is responsible for my unabashed
Read More >>

The Niña, the Pinta the Santa Maria. Sound familiar? What about, “in 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue”? I’m sure that rings a bell for you. These are the things we are taught in elementary school about Christopher Columbus. As children, we spent time coloring in outlines of his famous three ships and learning about the fearless explorer’s adventure to the New World. We love him so much, we dedicate a whole day to him. But schools tend to “forget” to mention how cruel Christopher Columbus
Read More >>

Recently I touched base with my friend Kathy to talk about the current state of the women’s movement. Kathy noticed things that needed tojust get done that weren’t being addressed. She asked: Why were people still debating some of the same feminist issues her generation had taken on decades earlier? Let’s get moving, she exclaimed impatiently! I responded from my broad-view perspective as a historian: I agree with you, Kathy. But isn’t it sobering to see the need to keep multi-generational
Read More >>

I identify as a political person who has, until recently, been checked out of mainstream politics. Keeping up with the two-party political theater whose tickets are sold primarily to Koch & Friends overwhelmed me. On a recent trip to the Democratic National Committee’s Women’s Leadership Forum Conference, however, I woke up. The upcoming midterm elections will directly impact the lives of women voters and candidates (including Rhode Island’s would-be first woman governor), and women will dictate
Read More >>

I struggle with self-expression and have internalized humility in a very extreme sense of the word. Growing up, I was taught to listen to others without involving myself, to put my priorities aside when others had it worse, and to avoid making anyone feel uncomfortable with my concerns. I recognize the same phenomenon happening all around me: people finding themselves either hesitant or unable to stand behind what they believe in. It's about time we pull everything out from under the rug. For
Read More >>