January 22, 2009

Contact:
Jennifer Berman
Office of Communications
NYU Cancer Institute
NYU Langone Medical Center
212.404.3532
Jennifer.Berman@nyumc.org

New York City, NY - January 21, 2009 (New York City, NY) - On Friday, January 9th, nearly 200 guests attended the National Organization of Italian American Women (NOIAW) annual Epiphany Celebration reception at the Columbus Citizens Foundation in New York City to benefit NOIAW's Scholarship, Mentor and Exchange Programs for College Students.   The event honored "Three Wise Women" who exemplify the wisdom believed to be apart of the Three Kings of the first Epiphany more than two centuries ago: Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut; Dr. Silvia C. Formenti, Chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology at New York University (NYU) School of Medicine and Associate Director for Clinical Research at the NYU Cancer Institute at NYU Langone Medical Center; and Angelina Fiordellisi, Founder and Artistic Director of the New Cherry Lane Theatre. The honorees were chosen for their outstanding achievements and for remaining dedicated to their culture and their families while reaching the highest levels in their respective professions. 

"NOIAW takes great pride in recognizing the accomplishments of these women who represent the best of our tradition," said the evening's host, NOIAW Chairwoman and Founding Member Dr. Aileen Riotto Sirey. "Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro has attained some of the highest leadership positions in the House of Representatives and is widely known as a champion for women and working class families throughout the country.  Dr. Silvia Formenti, whose achievements in breast cancer research have earned her a reputation for brilliance even among her most distinguished of colleagues, has made contributions to medicine that will benefit generations of women.  And Angelina Fiordellisi, who has generously devoted her success as an actress and director to mentoring young playwrights and who took it upon herself to build a venue dedicated to advancing these young talents. We are grateful to all of these women for serving as such fine examples of the values they learned growing up in Italian families: dedication, commitment, hard work and perseverance."

"It means so much to me to be recognized by the National Organization for Italian American Women - a proud organization, a strong group of women who know just what it means to honor our Italian American values," said Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (Conn.-3).  "Growing up as an Italian-American taught me my values, my commitment to community and how to be relentless in battling for change. You don't always win, but striving for change is a constant reminder of our shared legacy and the National Association of Italian American Women who change lives every day."
 
Dr. Silvia Formenti said, "When I started my service at NYU, I noticed that my practice was suddenly populated by patients with Italian last names. Our common heritage added to the bond I naturally feel with all my patients.

They brought me back to my youth in Italy, and reminded me of the women of my childhood. Behind the apparent resignation of their smiles I knew there was a tenacity and a wisdom I very much would like to emulate.

These women dealt with incredible challenge sand knew how to 'keep it all together' with grace and persistence, to make each of us succeed. It is to them that I would like to dedicate this Award."
 
Angelina Fiordellisi said, "NOIAW, what a phenomenal organization!  I salute Aileen Riotto Sirey for the brilliant idea to organize the Italian-American sisterhood.  I am inspired by my good friend, NOIAW member Donna De Matteo, and eternally grateful that she created this opportunity for me.  Grazie mille!"

Also hosting the program was NOIAW President Carol Silvagni Macleod, who introduced three women who have benefited from NOIAW programs: Lisa Blair Bonarrigo, an undergraduate student in NYU's Class of 2010 who spoke about being a part of a group of sixteen young Italian American women who went on an educational trip to Italy through NOIAW's 2008 Cultural Exchange;  LindaR. Carlozzi, Esq., Partner at Jackson Lewis LLP, who spoke about how she has benefited from having been a Mentee in NOIAW's Mentorship Program early in her career; and Matilde Leo, Esq., Attorney for the New York City Department of Probation and a former recipient of a NOIAW Scholarship, who spoke about the vital importance of NOIAW's Scholarship program for Italian American women seeking higher education.  
 
Background:
 
Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro has served the people of Connecticut since1990.  She currently sits on the House Appropriations and Budget Committees, serves as chairwoman of the Agriculture-FDA Appropriations Subcommittee and is a member of the Labor-Health and Human Services-Education and Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations Subcommittees.  A survivor of ovarian cancer, DeLauro has been a leading voice for increasing critical cancer research. Her work led to the passage of "Johanna's Law" in the 109thCongress.  From her position on the Labor-Health and Human Services-Education Appropriations Subcommittee, DeLauro has fought to increase funding for breast and cervical cancer screenings and research. DeLauro has also authored legislation to ensure longer hospital stays for women undergoing breast cancer surgery that enjoys bipartisan support. 
 
Dr. Silvia C. Formenti M.D. is the first Sandra and Edward H. Meyer Professor of Medicine (medical and radiation oncology) and Chairman of the Department of Radiation Oncology at New York University (NYU) School of Medicine and the Associate Director for Clinical Research of the NYU Cancer Institute at NYU Langone Medical Center. She is also the only senior leader of the NYU Cancer Institute who is a female chair at NYU Langone Medical Center.  A native of Milan, Italy, Dr. Formenti studied at Universita degli Studi di Milano prior to moving to the United States.  Before joining the NYU faculty in 2000, Dr.Formenti was a tenured Associate Professor of both Radiation Oncology and Medicine at the University of Southern California School of Medicine in Los Angeles.  Author of close to hundred scientific papers, she has been at the forefront of breast cancer research and developing novel treatment options for women afflicted by this disease.  Dr. Formenti is currently the Principal investigator of a prestigious Center of Excellence in Breast Cancer grant from the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program and of several other peer-reviews awards including an award from the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
 
Angelina Fiordellisi is the Artistic Director of the New Cherry Lane Theatre in Greenwich Village.  In September 1998, Ms. Fiordellisi created a 60 seat black box theatre to allow playwrights to preview new works to eager patrons of the theatre.  A native of Detroit, MI, Ms. Fiordellisi is also an accomplished actress.  Her roles include appearances on Law & Order, Thunder Alley, Star Trek:  The Next Generation, The Cosby Show and Rosanne.  
 
The National Organization of Italian American Women (NOIAW) was founded in 1980 by Hon. Geraldine Ferraro, Matilda Raffa Cuomo, Dr. Aileen Riotto Sirey, Roseanne Colletti, Donna de Matteo, and Bonnie Mandina, and is the only
national membership organization for women of Italian ancestry.  The mission of the organization is to further Italian American women through Mentoring and Scholarship programs, and most recently through an annual Cultural Exchange with the Italian government.  Through these programs and other events, NOIAW offers a community where generations of Italian American women avail themselves of each others' experience, networking and friendship.  

For more information about NOIAW, go to www.noiaw.org or call (212) 642-2003. 
 
Contacts:
 
Dinine Signorello, NOIAW Dir. of Development, 212-274-1274
Dr. Aileen Riotto Sirey, NOIAW Chairwoman & Founder, 914-238-0961
Jennifer Berman, Office of Communications, NYU Cancer Institute, NYU Langone Medical Center, 646-596- 6528, jennifer.berman@nyumc.org
Adriana Surfas, Office of Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3),202-225-3661,
adriana.surfas@mail.house.gov 

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Above, from left: NOIAW President Carol Silvagni Macleod, Honorees Angelina Fiordellisi, Dr. Silvia Formenti, and Rep. Rosa DeLauro, and NOIAW Chair and Founding Member Dr. Aileen Riotto Sirey.