The Women’s Fund of Rhode Island was founded 25 years ago by the late Simone P. Joyaux, a globally respected fundraising mentor and social justice advocate. In 2000, the Rhode Island Foundation partnered with Joyaux to launch the organization with a clear mission: close the opportunity and equity gaps facing women and girls. Today, WFRI […]
Michele Gallagher
Michele Gallagher is a lifelong student of history, a strong supporter of local woman-owned businesses, and the founder of City-by-the-Sea Communications.
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The International Tennis Hall of Fame has a lot of love for TeamFAME
Marguerite Marano has been part of the International Tennis Hall of Fame for more than 26 years. She began in 1999 as a Tournament Manager and went on to serve in several leadership roles before finding her true calling as the first Executive Director of TeamFAME. TeamFAME—Future Aces Modeling Excellence—is an inspiring after-school program for […]
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Women-led organizations prepare Rhode Island for a historic 2026
For New England fans of World Cup soccer, your countdown for the “Summer of Soccer” has begun – and for Rhode Island businesses large and small, now is the time to start planning your participation. An estimated 2.2 million people will attend the FIFA World Cup 2026 matches and events in the Boston area next […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Woman-led organizations prepare Rhode Island for historic 2026
When Discover Newport extends an invitation, I rearrange my schedule to attend. Newport’s equivalent of a local tourism board (which was recently awarded several “Best of’ Awards)’s monthly, off-peak Marketing Meeting is a gathering I never miss. When the topic is both steeped in Rhode Island’s history and outlining and educating us on our state’s […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Spotlighting the busy women (and a few good men) behind the scenes at the Broadway Street Fair
Historians and cartographers will tell you that “Broadway” is typically one of the first streets laid out on a city map, designed as a central artery for commerce. The name, derived from the Dutch Breede weg, meaning “broad way,” likely originated from Native American footpaths that ran diagonally down the length of Manhattan Island. Newport’s […]
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Michele Gallagher: Hispanic Heritage Month spotlights Newport’s growing Latino community
¡Celebremos la diversidad y riqueza de la cultura hispana! It’s time to celebrate the diversity and richness of Hispanic culture, right here on Aquidneck Island! Did you know that nearly 12% of the City of Newport’s year-round population identifies as Hispanic or Latino? For the state of Rhode Island, this number is closer to 18%, […]
Posted inBusiness
Michele Gallagher: Newport Chowder Company – From family recipe to coast-to-coast delicacy
In September, we New Englanders watch the leaves start to fall and the temperatures begin to drop. Sweaters and coats come out of storage, and boats start leaving the marinas for their winter havens. And just like that, we’re ready for chowder—Newport style! This weekend, while enjoying the Newport International Boat Show, I’ll be joining […]
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Michele Gallagher: Behind every women-led enterprise you will find a maven village
We are officially 240 days into the year, with 125 sunrises and sunsets still to go! As summer winds down and students return to school, it’s the perfect time to reflect on progress. Take heart—there are still four months left. This WUN Voices column highlights women business owners in Rhode Island, where women own 43.2% […]
Posted inArts & Culture
MÃE Organization for the Homeless serves Rhode Islanders-in-need with basic human services
Native Rhode Islander Tuni Schartner is sometimes referred to as “Rhode Island’s Economic Gardener.” She earned this nickname due to her personal mission of “helping businesses thrive, and to help the Rhode Island economy grow; always focusing on the greater good.” Since graduating from URI, Schartner has held community-driven leadership roles all over Rhode Island, […]
Posted inBusiness
Michele Gallagher: Women founders raise their ideas and their voices in Rhode Island
Last week, more than 200 entrepreneurs, investors, and changemakers who make up New England’s innovation economy gathered on a sunny afternoon at OceanCliff Hotel, to network and share real-life stories of progress made – and the persistent challenges faced by female founders across the country, and especially those based in Rhode Island and Southeastern New […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Heidi List Murphy reimagines List Academy of Music to engage seniors and veterans in the healing power of music
Heidi List Murphy has been making music and teaching music for over 30 years. Born into a musical family, she is a trained pianist, music teacher, and mid-career home healthcare provider. Since founding List Academy of Music (LAM) in 1993, she has helped more than 8,000 Newport County families to pursue, and often achieve, their […]
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In Rhode Island, women-led ventures are redefining adventure and innovation – Part 2
Welcome to Part 2 of a 2-part Series featuring the voices and origin stories of a few Adventure and Experience Women Entrepreneurs who are making Rhode Island even more fun and exciting for both residents and visitors alike. In WUN “Women Business Owner Voices” Part 1, we featured Rail Explorers and Paradigm Escape Rooms: fun […]
Posted inColumns
In Rhode Island, women-led ventures are redefining adventure and innovation
Welcome to Part I of a 2-part Series featuring the voices and origin stories of a few Adventure and Experience Women Entrepreneurs who are making Rhode Island even more fun and exciting for both residents and visitors alike. Innovation, passion, and discovery are at the heart of these 5-star experiences! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Rail Exploring in Our […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Business, Columns, Instagram, People & Profiles
Provence sur Mer serves up elegant French-inspired hospitality
A Celebration of Vision and Place Karen Pinelli is enjoying her second act. And she has created the perfect backdrop: an 1850 historic building overlooking Washington Square in the heart of Newport. Pinelli was a sales executive in Boston for more than 30 years, working in the HR & Employee Benefits industry. As she helped […]
Posted inInstagram, News, People & Profiles
Charting a Course: Martha Parker celebrates 40 years of Team One Newport
These days, as I walk the pup along the docks, I count the growing number of sailing and fishing vessels lining up in the harbor. Their colorful hulls bob gently, with crews carefully prepping these graceful “swans of the sea” for the season. Soon, the harbor will fill with beautiful white and grey sails—many competing […]
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Michele Gallagher: It takes a matriarchal village to make a shop feel like a home
May is busting out all over! And we couldn’t be happier. As the founder of ThamesGiving in Newport, I’ve had the joy of connecting with many savvy, creative business owners across the Thames Street District. One thing that stands out is how many of these businesses are run by mother-daughter duos and trios! For this […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health, Opinion
Michele Gallagher: The health, wellness and wellbeing industry is alive and well in Rhode Island
The U.S. health and wellness spa industry has nearly 20,000 businesses, contributing over $20 billion to the economy in 2024. With growing attention on mindfulness, fitness, and personal well-being, the industry is projected to reach $25 billion by 2029. This trend reflects a shift since the pandemic where people of all ages are prioritizing mental, […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Michele Gallagher: Rhode Island women are investing their power and principles back into Mother Earth
This statistic more than doubles the national trend of women owning businesses at approximately one-third the rate of men, or 22%. Rhode Island has approximately 105,000 small businesses (those with fewer than 500 employees); 90% have 10 or fewer employees; Nearly all are micro-businesses with just one person at the helm. This dovetails well with Rhode Island’s […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Michele Gallagher: Women in Business Then & Now: Colonial-era table settings in Rhode Island
Made in Rhode Island: Fine Linens, Silver, Blown Glass, Ceramics, Candles, Furniture and Textiles Many of the things that fill our houses today also filled the homes of colonial Rhode Islanders, except in their case, they were (of course) handmade right here in RI, and occasionally goods were imported from Europe. Ironically most of the […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Michele Gallagher: Women in business then & now – colonial-era quilt-making in Rhode Island
Petticoat Junction In 18th century Rhode Island, quilting served as a decoration for underskirt petticoats, in addition to bed coverings. The petticoats had the dual purpose of adding warmth as well as demonstrating exceptional stitching skills or intricate designs, often distinguishing social status. Some fabrics were imported from London and others were stitched by hand, […]