Moms For Liberty Newsletter – Special Edition
Spotlight on Leadership: Elaine Pelino Nominated for Governor of Rhode Island
On a momentous night at the Rhode Island Republican Convention, Moms For Liberty, Washington County Chair Amy Rodrigues took the stage to nominate Elaine Pelino as the Republican candidate for Governor of Rhode Island.
Defending Parental Rights Moms For Liberty was founded on the fundamental principle that parents—not government officials or outside activists—have the primary right to direct their children's education, medical care, and moral upbringing.
Why Elaine Pelino? Elaine Pelino stands out as the only Republican gubernatorial candidate to sign the Moms For Liberty Parent Pledge. This pledge commits candidates to honoring parental rights, increasing transparency, and advocating for policies that empower families.
A Track Record of Courage: Rodrigues shared a personal story about meeting Elaine at a highly protested library event. Despite intense backlash, Elaine volunteered to read wholesome books to children, demonstrating her dedication to family values and her courage under pressure.
Key Priorities Under Elaine Pelino’s Leadership:
- Parental Notification: Elaine is committed to ensuring no life-altering decisions are made about a child without parental involvement.
- Curriculum Transparency: She pledges to make every lesson plan and academic standard accessible to parents.
- Defending Title IX: Elaine stands firmly for protecting women’s sports and opportunities for girls.
- Ending the Charter School Moratorium: She supports school choice and increasing educational opportunities for all Rhode Island children.
- Eliminating Divisive Mandates: Elaine wants our children to focus on learning and national pride, not division.
A Vision for Rhode Island Amy Rodrigues concluded the nomination with enthusiastic support: “It is my distinct honor, on behalf of myself and families across Rhode Island, to place into nomination the next Governor of Rhode Island—Elaine Pelino!”
Watch the Full Speech HERE Read the unabbreviated speech and see for yourself why Moms For Liberty-Washington, RI is proud to stand with Elaine Pelino in her campaign for a brighter, more transparent future for Rhode Island families.
Full unabbreviated speech:
Good evening, distinguished delegates, honored guests, and fellow Republicans. My name is Amy Rodrigues, and I proudly serve as the chair of Moms for Liberty, Washington County, here in the great state of Rhode Island.
Moms for Liberty was founded on a simple, unwavering principle: parents—not government officials, school administrators, or outside activists—have the fundamental right to direct the education, medical care, and moral upbringing of their children. We believe that every mother, every father, and every family deserves full transparency about what is taught in our classrooms. And we remain steadfast in our commitment to protect those rights.
I am here tonight because I have found a candidate who embodies those very principles and stands firmly alongside us.
It is with great pride and conviction that I rise to nominate Elaine Pelino for Governor of the great state of Rhode Island.
Elaine Pelino is the only Republican gubernatorial candidate to sign the Moms For Liberty Parent Pledge, which states:
“I pledge to honor the fundamental rights of parents, including, but not limited to, the right to direct the education, medical care, and moral upbringing of their children. I pledge to advance policies that strengthen parental involvement and decision-making, increase transparency, defend against government overreach, and secure parental rights at all levels of government.”
When my chapter held a highly protested library event for families last year, Elaine asked if she could be one of the women to read wholesome books to children, despite the harassment and backlash. This was when I first met Elaine; I did not hear the rehearsed talking points of a career politician. Instead, I met a patriot deeply concerned about our schools and the sweeping policies recommended by the Rhode Island Department of Education that undermine local communities' voices.
Elaine is unwavering in her support for parental notification. No counselor, administrator, or teacher should guide a child in making life-altering decisions about a child's identity or health without the full involvement of the child's parents. Elaine understands this, and she has committed to signing legislation that safeguards this fundamental right from her first day in office.
Elaine strongly supports comprehensive curriculum transparency. Parents must have access to every lesson plan, reading assignment, and academic standard being taught to their children. Under an Elaine Pelino administration, there will be no hidden agendas—parents will have full and open access to the curriculum, ensuring trust and accountability in our schools.
Elaine stands with us in defending the original intent of Title IX—the landmark legislation designed to protect women and girls. She believes that girls deserve fair competition, their own sports, and equal opportunities. Elaine will not yield to political pressures that threaten to undermine these essential protections.
Elaine Pelino is committed to ending the three-year moratorium on new charter schools. She believes that every child in Rhode Island—regardless of neighborhood, income, or background—deserves access to an outstanding education. Elaine supports charter schools and school choice in all its forms because when parents have options, children have the opportunity to succeed.
Elaine has pledged to eliminate divisive mandates in our public schools. She believes our children should be taught to read, write, think critically, and take pride in our nation—not to view themselves through a lens of division.
Elaine has stood by my side and the mission of my organization, and tonight I stand by hers.
It is my distinct honor, on behalf of myself and families across Rhode Island, to place into nomination the next Governor of Rhode Island—Elaine Pelino!