“Three Wise Women.” The NOIAW Annual Epiphany Celebration

(January 08, 2009)

On Friday, January 9th, 2009, the National Organization of Italian American Women (NOIAW) will hold its annual Epiphany Celebration at the Columbus Citizens Foundation in New York City to benefit NOIAW's Scholarship, Mentor and Exchange Program for College Students.

In following with the Epiphany tradition of celebrating the three wise men, the event will honor Three Wise Women: Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut; Dr. Silvia C. Formenti, Chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology at the Langone NYU Medical Center; and Angelina Fiordellisi, Founder and Artistic Director of the New Cherry Lane Theatre.

Distinguished Founding Member of NOIAW Geraldine Ferraro said, "NOIAW takes great pride in recognizing the accomplishments of women who represent the best of our tradition. I'm sure each of them credits their success to the values they learned growing up in an Italian family: dedication, commitment, hard work and perseverance. It is a pleasure to honor such remarkable women."

The honorees were chosen for their outstanding achievements and their dedication to their culture and their families while reaching the highest levels in their professional careers. They exemplify the wisdom believed to be a part of the three Kings over two centuries ago.

Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro has served the people of Connecticut since 1990. DeLauro 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. In 1998, 2000 and 2002, Congresswoman DeLauro was recognized as one of the House of Representative's top "Workhorses" by Washingtonian magazine and Tom Oliphant, a nationally syndicated columnist, called her a "hero for working families." 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 109th Congress. 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 a Sandra and Edward H. Meyer Professor of Radiation Oncology at New York University (NYU) School of Medicine and Chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology at the Langone NYU Medical Center. A native of Milan, Italy, Dr. Formenti studied at Universita degli Studi di Milano prior to traveling 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 California School of Medicine in Los Angeles. She has been at the forefront of breast cancer research and developing less intrusive surgeries and treatment options for women afflicted by this disease. Dr. Formenti recently received multi-year peer-reviewed grants from the American Cancer Society and the Breast Cancer Research.

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.

When: Friday, January 9th, 6:30 – 8:30 PM

Where: Columbus Citizens Foundation, 8 East 69th Street, New York City

Tickets: Individual and group tickets are now available for purchase and ticket prices begin at $125. For more information, or to order tickets, please call NOIAW at (212) 642-2003 or visit http://www.noiaw.org/pages/events/events_018.php#tickets [2]. All proceeds benefit the NOIAW Scholarship, Mentor, and Exchange Program for College Students.

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NOIAW was founded in 1980 and is the only national membership organization for women of Italian ancestry. NOIAW serves to promote ethnic pride through scholarships and cultural, educational and social programs dedicated to women.

For more information about NOIAW go to www.noiaw.org [3] or call (212) 642-2003.

NOIAW Contacts:

Dinine Signorello, Dir. of Development

212-274-1274

Dr. Aileen R. Sirey, Chairwoman & Founder

914-238-0961

NATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF ITALIAN AMERICAN WOMEN

25 West 43rd Street, Room 1005, New York, NY 10036

T: 212.642.2003 • F: 212.642.2006 • Email: noiaw@noiaw.org [4]
www.noiaw.org [5]