Portrait by ChiChi Ubiña
YWCA Greenwich will be holding its 8th Annual Women Who Inspire Awards to recognize exceptional women in our community. YWCA Greenwich’s Women Who Inspire Awards was established to recognize and celebrate outstanding women who have excelled in philanthropic, professional, and volunteer pursuits. Importantly, these honorees have enriched the lives of many in our community. This event acknowledges the changes in society that have led to the fluidity of work/life pursuits for women of today.
That tenacity was forged early. Rachel came to the United States from France, at age eight, without speaking a word of English. She had to learn a new language, a new culture, and a new way of belonging, all at once. At the age of 22, she became a U.S. citizen.
Rachel’s commitment to public service is rooted in a lifelong belief that strong communities are built when people step forward for one another. After earning an International Baccalaureate diploma in France, she went on to graduate from Bryn Mawr College and Columbia University, where she earned a master’s degree in political science. Her early career at Euromonitor International and Morgan Stanley Asset Management sharpened her analytical instincts and reinforced things she still believes today: data matters, discipline matters, and long-term thinking matters, especially in government.
Rachel’s real calling emerged locally. As a member of Greenwich’s Representative Town Meeting, she became a tireless advocate for public safety, particularly improved fire coverage in Northwest Greenwich.
In 2022, Rachel made history as the first Democrat elected to represent Greenwich’s 149th District in the State House of Representatives. During her term, she helped secure more than $100 million for schools, road safety, and essential nonprofit services.