Newport Girl Wins Governor for a Day Essay Contest

Khatima Bulmer, 11, is a student at Thompson Middle School in Newport. And soon, you’ll need to refer to her by her official title: Governor of the state of Rhode Island.

Bulmer is the winner of the Women’s History Month essay contest spearheaded by Governor Gina Raimondo, who asked girls from around the state to tell her why they should be Governor for a day.

Raimondo, the state’s first woman to be elected Governor, said she loved Bulmer’s essay for speaking to the importance of celebrating Women’s History Month and mentioned many public service initiatives she’d like to get involved with if chosen to be Governor for a day.

“It would be a once in a lifetime opportunity to spend a day meeting and speaking with other leaders across the state government!” Bulmer wrote.

She also reflecting on her desire to make people more welcoming of our differences, “You know how some people look at you and say ‘You can’t do this because you’re a girl!’ or ‘You can’t do this because you’re dark skinned!’ Annoying, right?...Being a biracial kid myself, I know that many kids and adults judge people by what they look like instead of their character, I would make RI a more multicultural and friendly place for everyone.”

“I’m thrilled that Khatima will be our Governor for a Day,” Raimondo said. “I received over 580 well-written, enthusiastic and creative letters from girls all across the State and I wish I could have picked them all. I created the Governor for a Day initiative as a way to encourage young girls to become leaders in their communities and I was so pleased to read about all of their great ideas for Rhode Island’s future.”

Bulmer will officially be governor at a later date. She took read her essay at a ceremony at the State House on Tuesday and took questions from the media.

Also recognized for stellar essays were Ibiolatiwa Akomolafe of Pawtucket, Emma Boucher of Cranston, Celeste Humphrey of Little Compton, and Michaela Washburn of Scituate, who “spoke with intelligence beyond their years on how to improve Rhode Island. I know that their parents and communities are also very proud of them,” Raimondo said.