Rhode Island Democratic Women's Caucus makes history with new group chair

Katherine Gregg, The Providence Journal
·2 min read

PROVIDENCE — The Rev. Donnie Anderson has made Rhode Island political history by winning an election to chair the breakaway Rhode Island Democratic Women's Caucus.

Earlier this month, the 75-year-old Anderson, who identified as a transgender woman, told the group: "If you choose me to be your next executive, you will make a statement to the world about my community.

"There are young people and adults who live so deeply in the shadows they are almost unknown, because they don't see people like them in public positions," she said.

Anderson ran unopposed for the chair, and told the group assembled on Zoom earlier this month to hear from all of the candidates for leadership positions:

"I don't want you to vote for me because I am transgender," she said at the time. "Please don't do that. And I hope you won't vote against me because I am transgender either. But I want you to understand that I will work my tail off for you and I have already made arrangements to change some of my other commitments so that I can do that."

More on Donnie Anderson:Transgender minister seeks to lead RI Democratic Women's Caucus. Here's why she wants the job

Other officers elected

The caucus also elected as its officers: former Sen. Cynthia Mendes, vice chair; Stephanie Beauti, secretary and Pearl Holloway, treasurer. The elected executive committee members are: Sen. Linda Ujifusa, former Sen. Jeanine Calkin, Jen Douglas, Clara Read, Adamaris Villar, Lauren Neidel, Diane Hill, and Allison Bryant.

“I’m eager to increase the Caucus’ ability to recruit and empower a diverse and bold group of democratic women in every zip code of our beloved state!” said Mendes in a statement released by the caucus on Friday morning..

Rev. Donnie Anderson currently pastors in New Bedford

Anderson is the former Executive Minister of the Rhode Island State Council of Churches, former co-chair of the State Advisory Committee for the United States Commission on Civil Rights, and co-chair of the Rhode Island Commission on Prejudice and Bias.

She is currently the Pastor at Pilgrim United Church of Christ in New Bedford, Massachusetts.

The Democratic Women's Caucus that famously split from the state Democratic Party in 2019 in angry protest over efforts by party leaders to clip their wings with new rules banning them from endorsing candidates, spending money or making statements – as a group – without the party chairman’s approval.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Rev. Donnie Anderson elected as first trans chair of RI Dem. Women's Caucus