I was saddened to learn of the passing of former Secretary of State Barbara Leonard, who served the state she loved so well and in so many ways throughout her long life.
Barbara took over Lincoln’s H & H Screw Products Manufacturing Company after the sudden death of her husband, running the company from 1977 to 1985.
But Barbara was also called to public service. In addition to her tenure as Secretary of State, Barbara served, under Governors Garrahy and DiPrete, on the Boards of the Rhode Island Port Authority; the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation; the Rhode Island Job Training Council; the Rhode Island Vocational Education Advisory Board; the Board of Commissioners of Public Telecommunications; the Rhode Island Advisory Committee on Refugee Resettlement; the Veterans Memorial Commission; and the Rhode Island Commodores. She also was appointed by President Reagan to serve as New England Regional Administrator for the General Services Administration.
Barbara was one of a number of accomplished women who served in statewide office during the 1980s and 1990s. Since that time, I am pleased to note that we have made significant progress in terms of female leadership in elected and appointed positions in our state, but remarkable women such as Barbara led the way.
Rhode Island is a better place because of Barbara’s life and service, and it is my hope that her family can find some comfort in their many fine memories of her.
