L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015 www.italoamericano.org L'Italo-Americano 2 NEWS & FEATURES TOP STORIES PEOPLE EVENTS no such groups and urged me to start one. I agreed and Geraldine i n v i t e d a s m a l l g r o u p t o m y home. After two meetings, the g r o u p d e c i d e d t o s t a r t t h e National Organization of Italian American Women on July 14, 1 9 8 0 . O u r n a m e w a s t h e suggestion of Matilda Raffa Cuomo, former first lady of New Y o r k S t a t e a n d o n e o f o u r founding Distinguished Board Members. I became the first President for seven years and served as Chairwoman for 25 years. M a r i a , w h y d i d y o u decide to get involved in this organization and how did you p r o g r e s s t o b e c o m e t h e current chair? In 2006, my husband and I relocated to New York when he accepted a position as Dean of the John D. Calandra Italian American Institute. I became involved with NOIAW when I started attending various events, became a member, and then was elected to the board in 2007. I was impressed with the mission and history of the organization. I became more involved when I co - ch air ed th e f ir s t C u ltu r al Exchange Program, which was a collaboration with the Italian M i n i s t r y o f F o r e i g n A f f a i r s ( M A E ) . I t a l i a n a n d I t a l i a n American college women were given the opportunity to visit e a c h o t h e r ' s c o u n t r y f o r a n e d u c a t i o n a l a n d c u l t u r a l e x p e r i e n c e . T h i s p o p u l a r program continues to this day, and in summer 2016 we will be s e n d i n g a g r o u p o f I t a l i a n A m e r i c a n c o l l e g e w o m e n t o Rome. I n 2 0 0 8 I b e c a m e t h e Executive Director of NOIAW, a position I held until 2011. In 2012, I assumed a volunteer role to support the board and oversee h u m a n r e s o u r c e s , f i n a n c i a l r e p o r t i n g , a n d o t h e r management activities. I became active again on the board and assumed the role of President in 2014 until becoming Chair of t h e N a t i o n a l B o a r d i n J u n e 2015. One of the organization's goals when it was founded was t o c h a n g e t h e s t e r e o t y p e s a s s o c i a t e d w i t h I t a l i a n - American women. Do you feel that goal has been achieved and how? Do you feel there is still work to be done, even in g e n e r a l a s i t r e f e r s t o t h e portrayal of Italian-Americans in the media? If so, how do you plan to address the issue? Maria: The mission of our o r g a n i z a t i o n i s t o p r e s e r v e I t a l i a n c u l t u r e , h i s t o r y , a n d l a n g u a g e . T h r o u g h c u l t u r a l p r o g r a m s a n d e d u c a t i o n a l e v e n t s , w e p r o m o t e t h e accomplishments of women of Italian ancestry in the workplace and community. We address t h e s e i s s u e s c o n t i n u a l l y b y promoting positive role models a n d b y m e n t o r i n g I t a l i a n American college women and young professionals. While t h e r e a r e m o r e p o s i t i v e portrayals of Italian American men and women in the media, there are still some negative stereotypes that persist. We will c o n t i n u e t o c e l e b r a t e accomplished Italian American women to combat the lingering stereotypes. T h i s m a y b e a d i f f i c u l t q u e s t i o n b e c a u s e , r e a d i n g about your organization, it feels like all your members are extraordinary women. But if Aileen Riotto Sirey, founder and Chair Emerita, Maria Tamburri, Chair of the National Board Continued on page 3

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