ONE-ON-ONE with Rhode Island’s First Lady

Spare time is rare for Suzanne Carcieri ’65, who entered the public spotlight last fall when her husband, Donald, was elected governor.

Snow blanketed Rhode Island when its first lady, Suzanne Carcieri, was contacted for this interview. Yet it was June when her schedule opened up long enough for us to meet and discuss her career and URI. Spare time is rare for Carcieri, who entered the public spotlight last fall when her husband, Donald, was elected governor.

ONE-ON-ONE with Rhode Island’s First Lady

By Maria Caliri ’86, M.B.A. ’92Photo(s) By Nora Lewis

Her days are filled with functions and meetings, the first of which took place in Austin, Texas, in November 2002. Newly elected governors and their spouses convened with former and current public officials for a National Governors’ Association workshop. Seasoned politicians offered advice about setting up a governor’s office and promoting states’ interests in Washington, D.C. Among their recommendations, a common thread emerged: Give yourself six months to figure it out.

Though sound guidance for most starting a new job, the Carcieris’ honeymoon period abruptly ended on February 20, 2003, when pyrotechnics sparked The Station nightclub fire in West Warwick. The fire claimed 100 lives, injured more than 200, and has been referred to as Rhode Island’s 9/11. Ocean State residents turned to their novice governor and his wife for support. The Carcieris quickly responded by meeting with families searching for loved ones and visiting burn victims at area hospitals.

“We did what we had to do every day. Hospital visits were difficult, but when we thought about what the burn victims were experiencing, we got strength to carry on. Many were close in age to our children. We related to the families who received the call every parent dreads.”

During the following days, time blurred and, as it always does, moved on. “One day I woke up and realized it was one month later—the beginning of spring. I thought, ‘We are just coming out of this.’”

While mindful of the fire, Carcieri also had to re-examine her role as first lady and begin, as was advised, to figure it out. Beyond attending special events, she realizes that she can affect change for many causes. Therein lies the rub. With diverse interests, it is difficult to choose a starting point. “I can’t do everything, but I need to try to chart a course.”

It is likely her cause will be the Academy Science Center in East Greenwich. Her self-described “labor of love” will provide science programming for fifth to eighth-grade students.

“The building was scheduled for demolition, but we saved it and bought it from the town for $1 about three years ago. Since then, we completely renovated it. It will be a resource center where students can get extra help and participate in hands-on laboratory experiments. I would like to tutor children with science-fair projects.”

Such an endeavor is a natural fit for this former science teacher, who earned her undergraduate degree in biological sciences at URI and a master’s degree in health education from Rhode Island College. Having taught both in Rhode Island and in Jamaica, when her husband volunteered for Catholic Relief Services, Carcieri understands the effort involved in motivating students.

Despite the challenges, Carcieri fondly recalls her days in the classroom. “I taught biology and health and tropical disease classes to Jamaican high school students. I loved teaching there because I could just teach. The school had little tolerance for mayhem, so discipline problems were virtually non-existent.”

Through the Academy Science Center, she hopes to instill others with her passion for science. “Science education helps children see the big picture rather than the more narcissistic messages found in society. Science classes helped me look beyond the immediate—I thought of becoming an astronaut.”

Although space exploration is an admirable goal, Carcieri’s life followed a different path. Married one week after graduation, the Carcieris started a family soon thereafter. Their four children were born over a five-year period, and Carcieri wanted to discuss motherhood. “The challenge of being a mother is that it’s a full-time job, but the joy you experience as a result makes it worthwhile.”

She laughingly described numerous family camping trips with a tent trailer, an upgrade from the basic tents they traveled with initially. Presidential homes topped their list of favorite destinations.

While Carcieri was a stay-at-home mom, she carved another professional niche in theater. A neighbor approached her about joining the Academy Players, an East Greenwich amateur company. A music aficionado who sang in URI’s chorus, Carcieri agreed readily. Soon, a decade passed, and she performed in every musical, including Camelot and Oklahoma.

“We called ourselves the Hoofing Housewives and had fun. In fact, I haven’t given up the stage completely. Two years ago, I appeared in The Mikado with the North Kingstown Community Players and played an 18-year-old. Makeup can be amazing.”

Carcieri also associates singing with her enjoyable URI memories. “Many evenings, my Chi Omega sorority sisters and I sang. I absolutely loved the annual sorority sing.”

Through music and the natural bonds of kinship sororities promote, Carcieri made lifelong friends. “Chi Omega was a highlight of my college days. I have three brothers, so those women were truly like sisters. We still get together yearly.”

One sorority ritual that Carcieri did not experience was the candlelight ceremony during which a sorority sister gets her fraternity boyfriend’s pin. “Don was in Lambda Chi at Brown, and he proposed during senior year with a diamond. I wanted to get pinned. I still tease him about that.”

With or without a fraternity pin, the Carcieris are a strong team with plans on making a positive, lasting mark on the state.

“I’m aware of my civic opportunities and duties. I grew up with that, and it’s a part of me. I like being a part of Rhode Island’s current government and history. My husband and I love this state and have a chance to make a difference, each in our own way.

“It’s hard to be first lady—I have a heavy responsibility. Although there is a fine line a first lady can cross between getting too involved and not doing enough, I see this time as an opportunity to do something meaningful.”

Maria V. Caliri ’86, M.B.A. ’92, is communications manager at Citizens Bank, where she provides conversion communication and project management support for all lines of business: retail, small business, commercial and associated services.

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