Pawtucket to Host 12th Annual International Women’s Day Celebration: “Leading The Change!”

Pawtucket, RI – The City of Pawtucket invites the community to honor the visionaries and trailblazers shaping its future at the 12th Annual International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month Kick-Off Celebration.

The event will take place on Friday, March 6, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Blackstone Valley Visitor Center, located at 175 Main Street.

This year’s theme, “Leading The Change! Women Shaping Sustainable Future,” focuses on the multi-dimensional impact of female leadership. The program will highlight women who are:

• Strengthening financial stability for families.

• Building community resilience in a changing world.

• Supporting leadership succession to ensure a vibrant future.

• Advancing intergenerational equity across the city.

A Morning of Connection and Conversation

The celebration is designed to be as much about community networking as it is about recognition. The morning is divided into two distinct segments:

9:00 a.m. – Coffee Hour & Women’s Organization Showcase: Attendees can explore a showcase of local community-based organizations. This provides a vital space to connect with resources that support women and families throughout Pawtucket.

10:00 a.m. – Formal Program & Panel Discussion: The event will transition into a dynamic dialogue featuring this year’s distinguished honorees alongside student leaders from Pawtucket public high schools, bridging the gap between current and future changemakers.

“For twelve years, Pawtucket has come together to honor women whose leadership transforms our city,” said Pawtucket Women’s Day Committee Founder and Chair Sandra Cano. “This celebration is about more than recognition — it is about building sustainable systems where women and girls can thrive for generations to come. When women lead, communities grow stronger.”

“Women’s History Month is an opportunity to recognize the incredible women who strengthen and uplift our community every single day. This event celebrates three inspiring leaders whose dedication and impact truly move our city forward,” said Pawtucket Mayor Donald R. Grebien. “I’m grateful to everyone who made this celebration possible, and I invite our residents to join us as we honor these remarkable women together.”

“Pawtucket has a long tradition of women’s empowerment, and it is important that we continue to foster those values and ideals. Twenty-first century Pawtucket is represented by effective women leaders in government, business, community organizations, and public health,” said Senator Lori Urso. “I am grateful to Sandra Cano for ensuring that our outstanding women are recognized and that young women in our community have the opportunity to engage with and learn from them at this annual event.”

“Celebrating and highlighting amazing women from Pawtucket is one of the best things we can do as a city. This event always brings women together to share space and learn from each other,” said Representative Karen Alzate.

The event is presented by the Pawtucket Women’s Day Committee.

The celebration is free and open to the public. Registration is not required. The venue is ADA-accessible, with free off-street parking available.

2026 Women’s Day Honorees

Wilmaris Soto-Ramos, LICSW – A perinatal mental health therapist and founder of Begin Again Counseling, Soto-Ramos provides culturally responsive care to BIPOC mothers navigating pregnancy loss, trauma, and postpartum mental health, creating healing-centered spaces for families across Rhode Island.

Mary Healey – A Healthcare Information Systems consultant and Pawtucket Parks Commissioner, Healey works at the intersection of patient care, environmental stewardship, and community sustainability. As a beekeeper and civic leader, she brings a grounded, systems-based perspective to strengthening communities.

Romana H. Ramos – A pioneering cultural leader and longtime advocate for the Cape Verdean community, Ramos founded the Juventude Caboverdiana Organization and the Cape Verdean Women’s Organization, co-founded Rhode Island’s first Cape Verdean radio program, and served as Chair of the Cape Verdean American Community Development Corporation, leaving a lasting legacy of empowerment and cultural preservation.