A Dominican-born woman, Sabina Matos was chosen as the Lieutenant Governor for the state of Rhode Island. The smallest of the mainland states, Rhode Island is home to thousands of immigrant Dominicans. Most of these live in Providence, the capital city of Rhode Island.
“I am honored by the trust and confidence Governor [Dan] McKee is placing in me to serve as Rhode Island’s Lt. Governor. I thank my family for their unconditional love and support,” said Lt. Governor Matos. “The State of Rhode Island faces many challenges ahead, and together we will tackle the issues that are most important to our residents: getting vaccines in arms, getting people back to work, addressing the affordable housing crisis, and helping our small business community get back on its feet. I promise to work diligently for the people of our state every single day.”
Matos is from Paraiso, in Barahona province and migrated to the United States in 1994. She had worked for several different government and political entities until Gov. Dan McKee called on her to become his Lieutenant Governor.
She is a graduate from Rhode Island College in 2001 with a BA in Communications and Public Relations. She is also a graduate of the Latina Leadership Institute and Leadership for a Future. She is a graduate of the Aspen Institute’s Rodel Fellowship Program.
Previous to her present appointment, she was elected City Council President in January 2019, the first Latina to hold the position in the city’s history.
N Digital compiles the names of other Dominicans that have been imported to new roles in government in the United States. These are: Laura Jiménez, named advisor to the US Department of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs. Also, Julissa Reynoso Pantaléon, named chief of staff to First Lady Jill Biden.
Read more in Spanish:
Rhode Island Government
Providence City Council
Diario Libre
N Digital
18 April 2021