Honoring Barbara Colt’s Legacy

Barbara Colt was our friend, mentor, and a Rhode Island civil rights leader. She was a graciously fierce advocate and lobbyist who fought for healthcare access — especially reproductive care — and stood with under-served communities across our state. Read her obituary here.

In her memory, The Womxn Project has collected a fund to lift up others who carry forward her spirit- The Barbara Colt Perseverance Award. Like Barbara, awardees use wit, resistance, and sheer brilliant strategy to create lasting change in our communities.

In 2026, the awardees were Karen Malcolm (previously coordinator of the Protect Our Healthcare Coalition, Carmen Cabotte (a mental health specialist at Butler Hospital), and Clínica Esperanza/Hope Clinic.

On the first day of session in January 2027, we will announce another group of awardees and gather once again to remember Barbara.

Donate now to contribute to next year's fund. Together, we can help keep her fight alive.

The Barbara Colt Perseverance Award 2027