| Hi! I'm Mia Ackerman, and I'm incredibly thankful that my neighbors have given be the opportunity to represent our community at the State House. Because of Rhode Island's recent redistricting, some of you may not know me. This is a chance for you to learn about me, and when I knock on your door, I'd love to learn more about you!
I'm very proud to have been very involved in my community for my entire adult life. I have served the residents of Cumberland and Lincoln as the State Representative in District 45 since 2012. Before that, I was a member of the Cumberland Town Council from 2006 to 2012, and I was also a member of the Cumberland Juvenile Hearing Board from 2003 to 2006.
I am also involved with several community organizations, serving as a member of both the Cumberland Land Trust and the Cumberland School Volunteers, as well as on the Board of Directors for the historic Franklin Farm in Cumberland. I was a Liaison to the Cumberland Youth Commission and am a former member of the J.J. McLaughlin Elementary School Executive PTO Board.
I live in Cumberland with my husband Barry, and we have two children, Sam and Ellie. Sam recently graduated from Columbia Law School, and Ellie is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island. Both of my kids went to public schools in Cumberland, and I know how tough it is to be a working mom - when Sam and Ellie were small, it was challenging to balance my career with making sure I was there to meet my kids when they got off the bus after school.
I work as a Real Estate Title Examiner and I'm self-employed. I love what I do and being able to make sure that home buyers are protected when they buy their dream homes. I also really enjoy being self-employed, because it gives me flexibility with my schedule. When my kids were in school, that meant I was able to volunteer in their schools. However, being self-employed also has given me a greater appreciation for many of the challenges small business owners face. I believe that understanding has helped shape a lot of my legislative priorities!
A lot of the legislation I've sponsored has been about saving lives. I want to be around for my husband and kids for as long as possible, and I know that many of my neighbors feel the same way. People in Northern Rhode Island were devastated in 2018 when a 45-year-old mom died after going into cardiac arrest at a Cumberland High School football game. The 911 call takers failed to recognize that she was having a cardiac arrest, and they did not provide CPR instructions over the phone. I took my shock and sadness and turned it into action- I successfully sponsored legislation, which is now a state law, that established an emergency telephone system call review and quality improvement, and requires all 911 system operators to be trained in telecommunicator cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
I also have successfully sponsored laws to require health insurers to cover biomarker testing for cancer treatment and to provide full insurance coverage for colorectal cancer screenings
As a mom, youth issues are important to me. Our kids are our future, and we need to make sure that they're prepared for success! Last year I sponsored legislation to require that consumer education is taught in schools, so that students come out of school not only with the knowledge to build a skilled workforce, but with the knowledge of how to manage their personal finances instead of spending a lifetime in debt. I was very proud that Rhode Island General Treasurer Seth Magaziner honored me for distinguished service in championing financial literacy because of this legislation.
I have also successfully sponsored legislation that changes the jurisdiction of child abuse crimes from Family Court to Rhode Island Superior Court, which is much better equipped to adjudicate those types of crimes.
A lot of the legislation I've sponsored has been the result of conversations with neighbors - like you! I'm at the State House to be the voice for my community, and I know that working together, we can continue to get great things done for Cumberland and Lincoln. |