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NOIAW: A Quarter Century
of Service |
By
Andrea Lodico
Founder and Chairwoman, Dr. Aileen Riotto Sirey greeted by The
Honorable Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, President of Italy during the
NOIAW International Conference in Rome, Italy, April 2004.
The woman of Italian heritage has suffered because of the
negative image of Italian Americans, but she has also suffered
because of the negative image of the Italian American woman.
Even though she slowly established new transnational identities,
she was relegated to shallow stereotypes that did not reflect
her complex roles in society. The National Organization of
Italian American Women (NOIAW) has combated these stereotypes
through the celebration and recognition of the unique
accomplishments, achievements, and artistic creations of women
of Italian heritage, both nationally and internationally.
NOIAW is dedicated to providing a singular support network of
peers and colleagues that help to encourage the educational and
professional aspirations of its members. This year, NOIAW
celebrates its 25th year as the only national organization for
women of Italian ancestry.
NOIAW was founded in 1980 by such female luminaries as
Chairwomen Aileen Riotto Sirey, Matilda Cuomo, Honorable
Geraldine A. Ferraro, Donna DeMatteo, Constance Mandina, and
Roseanne Martorella.
When asked what was the motivation behind NOIA, Sirey reflected:
“At the time, Italian American women were not joining the
women’s movement in high numbers and we wanted to create an
organization that would combat stereotypes by promoting positive
role models within the community.”
NOIAW’s membership represents the diverse roles Italian American
women play in today’s society; students, young professionals,
homemakers, and established professionals in countless fields
and industries.
Integral to NOIAW’s mission are its mentor and academic
scholarship programs. A current priority for the organization,
NOIAW’s mentoring program reaches out to the young Italian
American community by matching graduate and undergraduate
students with members in the same industry, providing a unique
opportunity for mentors to guide and support students through
significant decisions and life changes, making NOIAW an
important meeting ground for creative and professional
collaboration.
Additionally, NOIAW brings its members together several times a
year for educational, cultural, and social events that focus on
specific issues that affect the women in the Italian American
community and allowing members to meet, mingle, and share ideas.
Events feature Italian American women as resources and leaders
in their fields, while often times helping to promote the work
of Italian American women authors and artists.
As part of the 25th Anniversary celebration, NOIAW currently is
co-presenting an exhibit at the Italian American Museum in New
York entitled “Something Borrowed, Something New: Italian and
American Women Post WWII.” Created in mixed media by
photographer Jessica Chornesky, the exhibit explores stories of
Italian American women who migrated to the United States after
World War II and their counter-parts who remained in Italy.
Chornesky utilizes disparate materials to compare and contrast
these women, tied together by culture, language, and tradition
but separated by physical distance.
Throughout the past year’s preparations for NOIAW’s 25th
Anniversary celebration, Chairwoman Sirey has had much on her
mind, reflecting upon the organization’s quarter century of
service to the community. In a recent interview, Sirey discussed
how in the years since NOIAW’s founding, Italian American women
have gained greater visibility in a variety of fields while
breaking down many of the now-outdated stereotypes. Sirey sees
NOIAW working even more closely with its Italian counterparts as
the organization moves forward, following the current trend of
the Italian American community as more active in examining,
discovering, and celebrating their ancestral heritage and
culture in comparison to earlier generations. This unity will
allow NOIAW to increase its international activities, which last
year included six conferences in Italy, one in Argentina, and
one in Australia that focused on the discussion of unique
challenges faced within each culture.
NOIAW’s 25th Anniversary Gala will be held June 9, 2005 at the
Rainbow Room in New York. It will be a celebratory affair with
dinner, a silent auction, and entertainment provided by renowned
soprano Christina Fontinelli. Presiding over the celebration
will be Mistress of Ceremonies, Angela LaGreca. Honorees include
the Assistant Secretary of State, Patricia de Stacy Harrison;
the first Italian American woman in space, Lisa Caputo Nowak;
CEO of Lucent Technologies, Pat Russo; and Honorable Geraldine
Ferraro. For additional information on NOIAW, its 25th
Anniversary Gala, and its annual activities and events, please
call their offices at (212) 237-8574 or visit their Web site,
www.noiaw.com.
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