Political Profile: Torlo Kormasa Amos, Candidate for House District 5
Wednesday, August 10, 2022
Torlo Kormasa Amos is a Democratic candidate for State Representative in District 5. Here is what she has to say.
1. What do you think is the biggest political issue this campaign season in Rhode Island?
I see apathy and a lack of engagement, especially from people that are just working hard and trying to keep the roofs over their heads. There is a sense of weariness when it comes to engagement. Many people feel that they are screaming from frustrations and that their government is not working for them. The biggest political issue this campaign season is making sure that our community has clear messaging from its leaders. People want leaders they can trust and have confidence in their decisions regarding political priorities. It’s important that people are empowered, mobilized, and ready to go to the polls. COVID-19 has adversely impacted our lives and the world seems unrecognizable. COVID has been awful, but it has also presented opportunities. I know voters want responsive leadership that brings innovative solutions to social and economic issues. I am ready to take well-informed and well-thought-out risks based on research and science. I am ready on day one to be that leader who not only listens but who will fight to make sure that the issues that families care about are addressed. I will always report back to my neighbors and encourage them to stay engaged.
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2. What do we need to do to improve Rhode Island's economy?
We need to improve the economy by investing in its people. Folks are hurting, especially the poor and those working one or two jobs to make ends meet. We need to create higher-paying jobs right now, and job training for youth and especially the poor and those left out of opportunities. We must increase the minimum wage to at least $19 an hour. According to the National Low-Income Coalition, a person in Rhode Island earning the current minimum wage of 12.25/hr would have to work 66 hours to afford a one-bedroom rental home at a Fair Market Rent. This would help families and individuals become more self-sufficient and less dependent on state subsidies. We also need to better support our small businesses, especially Black and Brown that have been hit the hardest by the pandemic. The people of Rhode Island deserve more!
3. What is the greatest challenge facing Rhode Island as a state?
Housing is a basic human right and families, including young children have no place to live. While I am excited to know that the General Assembly is investing in more affordable housing, the lack of housing is, I think, the greatest challenge. While assisting applicants with Rent Relief. I worked with families who were struggling not only with housing needs but had no money for basic needs: childcare, food, and healthcare. The lack of housing has impacted families' physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional lives. We need even more robust investments into building more affordable housing while addressing the mental health crisis caused in many instances by the lack of housing. The wait for housing has forced applicants to live in their cars even though they have jobs. This goes back to increasing the minimum wage to reflect the cost-of-living otherwise low-income workers are just one to two paychecks from entering a vicious circle that spirals into destitution and homelessness.
4. Why are you running for office? What makes you uniquely qualified?
I am running for office because I am uniquely qualified. My life experiences made me become a better advocate and relentless fighter. I struggled with terminal lung disease for seven years and, through those years, developed the mantra "the spirit of a woman with purpose is infallible." My double-lung transplant journey helped me create my resilient spirit. My experience required faith and fighting for a life I believed I deserved. My family suffered a loss of income, almost losing our home all while trying to navigate a healthcare system that left us in debt. This prepared me to understand the fear and uncertainty that many people have. My experiences with the healthcare system, income loss, and becoming a parent in Providence showed me that our community deserves significant changes. Changes that include fair wages, a better and more affordable healthcare system, and quality education for our children. I am strong and fortified by the boldness of overcoming a double lung transplant. I’m bringing that attitude every single day while working for my constituents. I will continue this fight for my constituents with the same energy and with every breath that I fought to stay alive.
5. Who is your inspiration?
My family and close friends are my inspiration. They have inspired me throughout my journey. They showed me generosity and prayed for my miracle. Because of them, I know that the pain and suffering I endured is for a purpose. My purpose is to be able to serve my community as a State Representative. My family and friends inspired a vision where we can strive to build communities that thrive. They were an example of what a strong community can look like. They have prepared me for this fight, they inspire me, and I am happy to stand on their shoulders.
Torlo Kormasa Amos Bio:
Torlo Kormasa Amos, who goes by “Kor” was born in Providence, RI where she currently resides. She graduated from Cranston High School East in 2000. From there she went on to live and work in Boston for serval years at the Joslin Diabetes Center. In 2010, she received her bachelor’s degree in Communications from Rhode Island College. She is completing her master’s degree in Public Administration at Suffolk University. Currently, she works at the non-profit organization, Higher Ground International, where she helps serve the South Providence neighborhood.
Amos' career experiences mainly include working in the non-profit sector. Her passion for her community makes her a resilient advocate. She has demonstrated this in various community campaigns and career positions within Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Her advocacy has garnered the attention and support of both Rhode Island and Massachusetts political leaders. Her love of advocating soon found personal meaning in Kormasa’s life. She was diagnosed with the terminal illness, Pulmonary Fibrosis in 2013. In 2020 on Mother’s Day, amid Covid, she received a double lung transplant. During those seven years of Kormasa’s medical struggle, she learned that the spirit of a woman with purpose is infallible. Her recovery has been stellar. The pain and struggles of her life experiences ignited a passion to run for office and serve her community with compassion.
Contact info
Website: vote4kor.com
Social Media/ Twitter: @TorloKORAmos
IG:torlokoramos
Facebook: Kormasa Amos
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