The Ocean State is rich with natural treasures, and many would agree that Aquidneck Island is one of its crown jewels. Among its brightest gems is the teardrop-shaped Norman Bird Sanctuary, which has welcomed residents and visitors of all ages for nearly a century. A Modern-Day Natural Gem Formed Over Millennia According to the organization’s […]
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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More than a building: Inside the next chapter of Newport’s Boys & Girls Clubs
“It’s not about a big building. It’s about what happens inside the building,” said Kelley Coen, newly appointed CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Newport County. She shared the remark at a recent Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce Women of Distinction event, where Coen was interviewed by Newport Chamber CEO Erin Donovan-Boyle. A […]
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Michele Gallagher: A spotlight on modern-day women who are unearthing Revolutionary history
“Behind the Lines: Unsung Women of the American Revolution” was a full-weekend lecture series held in mid-March in Portsmouth, hosted by the Brigade of the American Revolution and sponsored by the Debra Najecki Endowment at Portsmouth Friends Church. The conference brought together dozens of authors and historians to highlight the crucial, often overlooked roles women […]
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Michele Gallagher: Rhode Island women of the Revolution – loyalists, diplomats, and patriots
March arrived like a lion in Newport this year—a fitting reminder that the voices of many women in Rhode Island’s history still roar today. This two-part “Voices” series highlights several remarkable, yet lesser-known, women of the American Revolution. Alas, Not Every Lass was a Patriot Mary Gould Almy, miniature portrait by Edward Greene Malbone, c. […]
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Michele Gallagher: Frederick Douglass’ legacy in Rhode Island
Though Frederick Douglass has been extensively chronicled — by himself and by modern-day historians such as David W. Blight — his Rhode Island oratory during the second half of the 19th century deserves renewed attention. Born Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey in Talbot County, Maryland in 1818, Douglass as a young boy endured family separation, brutal […]
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Standing at the CUSP of Newport’s Art Scene: Curtis Speer, CUSP Gallery, and the Newport Artists Collective
For 2026, on the advice of a wise mentor, I’m expanding the scope of my WUN Voices column from exclusively spotlighting women-led organizations’ “Voices” to include the Voices of all Rhode Islanders doing ground-breaking work that is making an outsized impact in the smallest state.” Enter Curtis Speer I recall sitting at a Greater Newport […]
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Keeping the new year’s SPARRK lit after January: Gail Lowney Alofsin on momentum, meaning, and mindset
Gail Lowney Alofsin is Newport’s own energizer bunny. She is everywhere—starting each day at the gym at 5:30 a.m., moving through “hour of power” coffees and back-to-back meetings, commuting to and from the University of Rhode Island campus, where she serves as Associate Director of Corporate Partnerships for the Office of Strategic Initiatives, teaching at […]
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The wit and wisdom of Rhode Island women, and how they plan to navigate a new year
It is a universal fact that the new year is a time of reflection on past events, present obligations, and future hopes and plans. Setting resolutions for the new year is an age-old tradition dating back to the ancient Babylonians from over 4,000 years ago, who made promises to their gods that were focused on […]
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Michele Gallagher: Quiet lessons on resilience from Rhode Island women business leaders
Over the course of the last ten months, we’ve been introduced to some inspiring women in this “Voices of Rhode Island Women” series. With every interview, I have been impressed about how intrepid, passionate and resilient these women leaders are. They don’t just show up for work every day, they show up and stand up, […]
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Fueling a Female Movement: This dynamic nonprofit advocates for women, girls, and families
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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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%, […]
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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% […]
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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, […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]