diaz

PROVIDENCE — State Rep. Grace Diaz, D-Providence, a leader in the state’s Latino community, will be appointed vice chairwoman of the Rhode Island Democratic Party. By virtue of the post, she will also become a superdelegate to the Democratic National Convention.

Diaz’s appointment will be announced today by William Lynch, of Pawtucket, the state Democratic chairman. “Grace Diaz is a leader we can all look to for inspiration,” said Lynch. “I am honored to elevate a woman who has given so much to her community and worked tirelessly in the name of progress for all Rhode Islanders.”

Diaz last year made a “personal commitment” to support New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, who is in a close race with Illinois Sen. Barack Obama for the nomination.

Rhode Island had a vacant superdelegate slot because Edna O’Neill Mattson, the party’s longtime vice chairwoman, has become the state’s Democratic national committeewoman, a position that makes her an automatic superdelegate.

Superdelegates are important because they are not bound by caucus or primary results. This means they can vote for the candidate of their choosing. With the Clinton-Obama contest close, every superdelegate is being fiercely courted by the opposing campaigns.

Diaz immigrated to the United States in 1980 with just $40 and two dresses to her name. She learned English and eventually became a successful owner of a home daycare business.

Diaz now works as a childcare consultant and is the mother of five children. In 2004, Diaz became the first Dominican-American woman in the country to be elected to a state office.

Lynch said Diaz is the first Latina-American to serve in such a high-ranking Democratic Party position. “I’m proud to be Democrat because this party has always represented the best interests of the working men and women of Rhode Island,” said Diaz. “I look forward to joining chairman Lynch and our state committee in continuing to advance an agenda that will make health care accessible and more affordable, bring good paying jobs to our communities and make sure our kids receive the benefits of a 21st-century education.”

Diaz represents District 11 on Providence’s South Side, a neighborhood that has been a magnet to waves of immigrants. Since the 18th century, the neighborhood has been home to native Protestants, and Scottish, Swedish, Irish, Jewish and Italian immigrants. In the 20th century, the neighborhood became the center of the city’s African-American community and in recent years it has served newer populations of Southeast Asians, Hispanics and Liberians.

As the party’s vice chairwomen, Diaz will lead the Democrats in Lynch’s absence. She will help to identify political positions as a member of the state party’s platform committee and be a voice for the state’s minority community, which in recent elections has overwhelmingly supported Democrats.

“In all that she’s overcome and accomplished, Grace Diaz represents everything that is good and right about America,” said Lynch. “Her remarkable talent and passion for public service will be invaluable to this party as we continue to fight for equal opportunity for all Rhode Islanders.”

smackay@projo.com