PINK Women holds eighth annual Unsung Heroine Awards

The University of Rhode Island’s Powerful, Independent, Notoriously, Knowledgeable (PINK) Women’s 8th Annual Unsung Heroine Awards chose to nominate an active member from within last Thursday night for the first time ever.

Graduating senior and Vice President of PINK Women Melody Francisco became the first active member recipient of the award for her contributions to the organization and her embodiment of its ideals. The ceremony honors women in communities within Rhode Island whom they believe have impacted others through their selfless action.   

As a freshman, Francisco arrived at URI with the goal of impacting the campus in some way, and through her leadership minor and involvement at PINK, she believes she has been able to achieve this. Her fellow PINK sisters agreed when they chose to nominate her as an unsung heroine, not solely for her achievements within the organization, but for her continued commitment this year after being diagnosed with Small Cell Ovarian Cancer last October.  

“To me, an unsung hero is a person who makes a substantial but yet unrecognized contribution,” PINK member Magleny Vasquez said.  “A person whose victory is unknown or unacknowledged.  Melody has made a substantial contribution to not just her friends, but to her family and this organization.”

After graduation from chemotherapy four weeks ago, Francisco is now able to look forward to graduating from URI this spring.  Francisco said she is thankful for the award and for the kind words spoken about her.

“I think that the women who established this organization and the women in the organization are one of a kind,” Francisco said.  “You won’t find them anywhere else. If you’re not a PINK Woman you’ve got to be a PINK Woman.”  

Powerful, Intelligent, Notorious and Knowledgeable Women strive to promote self-exploration, professional development, and leadership opportunities for undergraduate multicultural women in preparation for the workforce.  By hosting this event, PINK Women feel that they are meeting the “mission and values of making connections that exemplify pride, community, and respect.”

Also honored were Talent Development’s Associate Director for Education Programming Sharon R. Forleo, Women’s Center Chef Gigi Culbertson, and full time teacher, former PINK Woman, and founder of the Unsung Heroine Awards Kelly Beckford.  

Keynote speakers chosen to speak at the awards ceremony included Dr. Hilda Lloréns of the Anthropology Department and Dr. Jody Lisberger from the Department of Gender and Women’s studies.  Although both women come from seemingly different academic backgrounds, each addressed the women of PINK with their advice for moving forward.  While Lisberger warned against homogeneity and self-segregation as a barrier to connection, Lloréns helped to stress the importance of solidarity between all women.

“You have to open the door for the girls behind you,” Lloréns said. “You have to, because no one else is going to do it. You have to open that door and you have to mentor and you have to give back.”