Councilwoman Anna Sousa Reflects on Nearly Ten Years of Service to East Providence

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~Keri Cote

This is the Kicker

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I have lived in East Providence my entire life. It is where my parents, the late Jose and Maria Jesus Sousa, built our family’s life after coming from São Miguel—my father from Ponta Garça and my mother from Ribeira Grande. It is where I grew up, went to school, worked, and where I have had the privilege of serving Ward 2 as your councilwoman for almost ten years.

My family and I have long been part of St. Francis Xavier Church and community organizations, including the Holy Ghost Beneficial Brotherhood, the Holy Ghost Brotherhood of Charity, PAC, and Trinity Brotherhood. Those connections taught me the value of showing up for one another. I have tried to carry that lesson into every part of my public service.

I am proud of the work I have done on the City Council, especially when it has made a practical difference for residents. I spearheaded a seven-day grace period for property and water tax payments because I knew how much a late penalty of 12 percent could hurt a family. A few extra days may seem like a small change at City Hall, but for someone balancing bills from one paycheck to the next, it can mean a great deal.

With the support of my council colleagues, I also helped put East Providence’s first major street and sidewalk repair program in place. We began with an allocation of $10 million over five years and continued funding afterward. Residents had been telling us for years that streets and sidewalks needed attention. That program was a commitment to doing the steady work of maintaining the places we all use.

Some of the work closest to my heart has involved our children and schools. I have been a member of the Hennessey and Whiteknact elementary school PTAs and have taken part in annual Reading Week activities at schools throughout the community. I have contributed to fundraisers for academics, sports teams, the Boys & Girls Club, and local youth sports organizations. These efforts succeed because families, teachers, volunteers, and supporters give their time and resources. I am grateful to be among them.

I have also wanted young people and local artists to see that their talents matter here. I initiated the city’s first Utility Box Art Project to give artists an opportunity to share their work while bringing color to public spaces. I supported East End Theatre & Performing Arts, a local nonprofit, with a $5,000 scholarship donation for young people in our community. Art gives people a way to express themselves and helps make this city feel like home.

Community gatherings matter to me for the same reason. Over the years, I have hosted events including the annual Christmas tree lighting at City Hall, Women’s Month celebrations, the Day of Portugal celebration, October festivities at Pierce Field featuring trunk-or-treat, and end-of-year ice cream socials for local elementary schools. I treasure the chance to see neighbors come together, celebrate their traditions, and spend time with their children.

I know the pressures many residents face because I live them, too. I work multiple jobs to make ends meet in the current economy. As a registered nurse and educator, I have spent my professional life listening to people, helping them understand their options, and advocating when they need support. As your councilwoman, I have brought those same habits to the job: listen carefully, use common sense, and speak up for the needs of residents and the city.

There is still important work ahead. I want to maintain a responsible city budget that funds departments appropriately, meets our contractual obligations, and pays our debts without overspending. I will continue to focus on the condition of our roads, sidewalks, water and wastewater utilities, and other city infrastructure. These are basic responsibilities of local government, and they affect daily life in every neighborhood.

This is a short list of the work I have been proud to take part in, both publicly and behind the scenes. None of it was accomplished alone. My council colleagues, city employees, community organizations, and residents have all played a part. I am thankful for their work and for the trust Ward 2 has placed in me.

On November 3, I sincerely ask for your continued confidence and your vote to reelect me as your Ward 2 councilwoman. I will keep listening, showing up, and working for the people of East Providence, putting people over politics.

If you would like to volunteer or request a lawn sign, please email vote4asousa@gmail.com.

With gratitude,
Anna Sousa