The Providence legislator is among nine recipients of this year's award, which recognizes contributions to the community by women of diverse ethnic, cultural and economic backgrounds.

01:00 AM EST on Monday, March 13, 2006

State Rep. Grace Diaz's numerous accomplishments and commitment to issues involving women and families have earned her an Extraordinary Woman Award, presented Wednesday night at the Radisson Airport Hotel, in Warwick.

The Providence Democrat was among nine women honored at the event. The others were Elizabeth Gordon, translator for the ABC 6 News Spanish-language program; Agripina Garcia DeLeon, owner of CASAMAX Realty; Gloria Hincapie, of the state Department of Elderly Affairs; Doris Mejia, a caregiver; Roxanne Archibald, director of student affairs for the Providence School Department; Maria del Pilar Velasquez, director of education at Rhode Island PBS WSBE, an educational TV channel; Kate King, case manager with the Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island, and Carolina Briones, an employee of the Providence Public Library.

The Extraordinary Woman Award, first presented in 2001, recognizes women of differing ethnicities, economic status, creed and religion for outstanding contributions in the community.

Diaz, the first Dominican-American woman elected to state office in the country and the founder of a home daycare center, arrived in Providence in 1990 with $40 and two dresses to her name. She had little command of the English language.

But 14 years of hard work brought success. After establishing the "Teddy Bears Under the Rainbow" daycare center in 2004, she went on to lead a grass-roots campaign for state representative in District 11 and won with 53 percent of the vote.

Diaz, 49, is a member of the House Committee on Health, Education and Welfare, and has been part of a struggle to win dignity and justice for women who provide child care in the community.

"What makes this award so special is that it brings together women from different backgrounds and celebrates our differences and the contributions we have made to our communities," Diaz said. "I am honored to be in such great company."

Hincapie, who came to the United States from Colombia in 1973, is a program manager for a respite-care program and works in the anesthesia department of Women & Infants Hospital.

Mejia, formerly of the Dominican Republic, lost her husband at a young age and raised five children on her own. She was honored for exemplifying unselfishness and courage.

Archibald has overcome personal obstacles, including a physical disability, to earn a master's degree in education. She has worked for the Providence School Department for 14 years and is director of student affairs.

Garcia DeLeon came to this country from the Dominican Republic. Last year, she and her husband opened a real estate company. She also teaches classes for first-time homebuyers.

Velasquez moved to the U.S. from Colombia in 1981. She is pursuing a doctoral degree in educational leadership for higher education at Johnson & Wales University, and serves as education director at Rhode Island PBS WSBE.

King, a registered nurse, works with asthma education and management at the Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island and is president of the West Bay Land Trust, a nonprofit agency.

Briones, who came to Rhode Island from Ecuador in 1993, works at the Providence Public Library, where she has developed activities including a bilingual literacy program for children.

Gordon, a Spanish translator and interpreter, works at ABC Channel 6, where she heads a team of translators for a Spanish-language program.

Welcoming remarks at Wednesday's awards ceremony were delivered by Delia Rodriguez and Rosa De Castillo, the program host. Sandra Lake, founder of the Extraordinary Woman program, said the nine honorees "have played an important role in the improvement of the state of Rhode Island."

Lake also noted that the annual March 8 ceremony coincides with the observance of International Women's Day.