Making our country work for the many, not the few.

About the RI Working Families Party

The RI Working Families Party is a state chapter of the national Working Families Party. WFP is a political party that brings together volunteers, labor unions, community organizations, and elected officials to win big, common-sense improvements in the lives of everyday people.

We recruit and support inspiring candidates with deep ties to the community and organize to help them win elections. Once they’re in office, we use our governing power to push for visionary laws that make a positive difference in the lives of people of all races, ages, and identities.

We believe that no matter where we come from or what our color, most of us want the same things: We want to earn enough to thrive, not just survive, and leave a better future for our kids. We want healthy food and clean water, secure housing and healthcare, and a safe world within our neighborhoods and beyond. We want to be free.

Since 2016, RI Working Families Party has been a powerful political force to win governing power for the working people of Rhode Island. Our work has helped win raises for 1 in 4 Rhode Island workers, sick days for over 100,000 people, a strong equal pay law, automatic expungement for cannabis records, and—most importantly—changed the character of the Rhode Island State House by electing lawmakers who put working people first. And we are just getting started.

Join us.

Join our movement: Text RHODY to 30403.

RIWFP Priorities

Fair Share for Rhode Island:

We want a fairer tax system, guaranteeing that the richest 1% of Rhode Islanders pay their fair share to fund our schools, hospitals, roads and bridges. The inclusion of a millionaire's tax in this year's budget is a victory for the thousands of Rhode Islanders who have spent years demanding a fairer tax system. It is proof that when working people organize, change is possible.

But while the millionaire's tax is an important first step, it leaves billions of dollars on the table while communities are told to accept less. Less funding for schools. Less support for healthcare. Less investment in public transportation. Less of the public infrastructure that working families rely on every day.

Rhode Islanders deserve better than managed decline. They deserve a government willing to meet the challenges in front of us with the resources that already exist in our state.

The fight for tax fairness is not over. Until the wealthiest 1% are paying their fair share, Rhode Island will continue asking working people to make up the difference. That isn't just bad economics, it's fundamentally unfair.

The fight for a Fair Share Rhode Island isn't over—it's just getting started.

Past Issue Campaigns

RI Working Families Party and our sibling organization, Working Families Power, has led, coordinated, or partnered on powerful legislative campaigns that have changed hundreds of thousands of lives. Below are a few of our major victories.

Paid Sick Days

Won over 100,000 Rhode Islanders ‘paid time off’ of work to heal or care for a sick loved one.

$15 Minimum Wage

Set RI on a path to a $15 minimum wage, raising the wages of 1 in 4 Rhode Island workers.

Pay Equity for All

Created a strong, statewide framework for increasing pay transparency and ensuring employers pay women and people of color fairly.

Automatic Expungement

Cleared the records of tens of thousands of Rhode Islanders with prior cannabis possession charges

Let RI Vote

Expanded access to early voting and guaranteed easy, secure mail ballot voting.

RIWFP Staff

We employ four full-time staff, who work alongside our members to shape and structure the Party.

  • Chelsea Fernando

    RI Organizing Director • she/her
    cfernando [at] workingfamilies.org

    Chelsea works with individual members. Her work includes political education, skills training, electoral campaign actions, and lobbying.

  • Georgia Hollister Isman

    New England Regional Director • she/her
    ghollisterisman [at] workingfamilies.org

    Georgia oversees WFP strategy in RI, CT, and MA. She works to carry out ambitious electoral, legislative and organizational plans that involve members, community partners, and legislators.

  • Anusha Venkataraman

    RI State Director • she/her
    avenkataraman [at]     workingfamilies.org

    Anusha leads WFP's electoral and legislative strategy in Rhode Island. She coordinates with organizational partners and coalitions, oversees RIWFP's endorsement process, and works to build the Party with members and allies across the state.

  • Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler

    New England Progressive Governance Director • he/him
    jsobrinho-wheeler [at] workingfamilies.org

    Jivan works with elected officials to develop progressive policy and organize in solidarity with one another. He helps elected officials create shared strategy, and effectively engage their constituents year round.

  • Madeline Stocker

    New England Communications Director • she/her
    mstocker [at] workingfamilies.org

    Madeline oversees WFP's communications across New England, from shaping media strategy for electoral and advocacy campaigns to building relationships with journalists and elevating WFP leaders as voices in the movement. She also coordinates with state, regional, and national teams to connect local organizing to the national conversation.

RIWFP State Committee

The RIWFP State Committee is the group of labor unions, community organizations, and individual members that guide the growth and direction of our state chapter. They vote on which candidates we endorse and participate in determining our legislative goals.