National Organization of Italian American Women

The National Organization of Italian American Women (NOIAW) is a United States organization established in 1980 to create a national network for women of Italian ancestry from varied professional and social backgrounds. Its work combines professional development, educational support, cultural preservation, mentoring, recognition of achievement, and international exchange. The organization was conceived in a period when Italian American women were seeking stronger visibility in professional, civic, and public life, while also addressing ethnic stereotypes through the presentation of accomplished women as positive role models. The group began after physician Aileen Riotto Sirey invited a small group of women to meet at her home in New York on July 14, 1980. The founding group included Sirey, U.S. Representative Geraldine Ferraro, Matilda Cuomo, Donna deMatteo, Bonnie Mandina, and Roseanne Colletti. Sirey became the organization’s first president, serving for seven years, and later remained associated with NOIAW as its chairwoman for 25 years. She retired from that role in 2012 with the designation Founder and Chair Emerita. Ferraro’s encouragement helped give the organization an early connection to prominent Italian American women in public life. NOIAW’s activities are educational, cultural, social, and professional. It recognizes women of Italian ancestry for their accomplishments, promotes awareness of Italian American contributions, and treats women as important custodians of Italian heritage and culture. Its programming has included public events, conferences, scholarships, mentoring, and activities related to Italian language and cultural continuity. The organization has also sought to support women at different stages of education and employment, including students, graduate students, and women returning to the workforce. Scholarship and exchange activities form an important part of its educational mission. In 2007, NOIAW worked with Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to establish an exchange program. The program has included visits by Italian students to the United States and, in alternating years, opportunities for Italian American college students to travel to Italy. Separately, NOIAW awards scholarships to Italian American women pursuing higher education. Its mentoring program connects undergraduate and graduate students, as well as women re-entering professional life, with NOIAW members working in related fields. The organization expanded beyond a narrowly national identity through relationships and events involving women in Italy, Argentina, and Australia. By 1986, it reportedly had more than 400 members in ten US states and a mailing list of approximately 1,500 people. Its public-facing identity therefore combines ethnic heritage organization, professional network, educational nonprofit, and women’s advancement platform. The available reference material does not establish a current headquarters, current leadership roster, financial profile, legal structure, or detailed recent program activity; those fields remain unreported here rather than inferred.

NOIAW was formed in 1980 after Aileen Riotto Sirey convened Italian American women at her home on July 14. The founding circle included Sirey, Geraldine Ferraro, Matilda Cuomo, Donna deMatteo, Bonnie Mandina, and Roseanne Colletti. The founders intended to build a national network that could support women’s educational and professional ambitions, provide visible role models, and challenge stereotypes associated with Italian American identity. Sirey served as the first president for seven years and subsequently held the chairwoman position for 25 years. She stepped down on May 5, 2012, retaining the honorific Founder and Chair Emerita. During its early development, the organization attracted members from multiple US states. By 1986, it was reported to have more than 400 members in ten states and a mailing list of about 1,500 people. The organization’s programming developed around several connected themes: advancement of women, recognition of Italian American achievement, preservation of Italian heritage and language, and creation of professional relationships. NOIAW-sponsored programs have included educational, cultural, and social events addressing issues of interest to women of Italian ancestry. Scholarships have supported Italian American women pursuing higher education. A mentoring initiative has paired undergraduate and graduate students, along with women returning to the workforce, with members working in relevant professional fields. In 2007, NOIAW joined with Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to establish an exchange program. The arrangement provided for Italian students to spend two weeks as guests of the organization and, in alternating years, for Italian American college students to travel to Italy. This initiative broadened NOIAW’s activities from domestic community networking into structured transatlantic educational exchange. The organization has also presented itself as an international network, connecting women of Italian ancestry in the United States with women in Italy, Argentina, and Australia through international events and conferences. The available sources identify several prominent women as board members, including Lidia Matticchio Bastianich, Margaret I. Cuomo, Matilda Raffa Cuomo, Geraldine Ferraro, Rosa L. DeLauro, and Nancy Pelosi. They do not provide a complete current leadership list, detailed governance chronology, financial information, or a verified current headquarters address.

• 2012

  Founder becomes Chair Emerita

  [1]National Organization of Italian American Womenen.wikipedia.org

  Aileen Riotto Sirey retired as chairwoman on May 5 and continued with the designation Founder and Chair Emerita.

• 2007

  Italian-American student exchange established

  [1]National Organization of Italian American Womenen.wikipedia.org

  NOIAW partnered with Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on an exchange program involving Italian students visiting the United States and Italian American college students traveling to Italy in alternating years.

• 1986

  Early membership expansion

  [1]National Organization of Italian American Womenen.wikipedia.org

  The organization was reported to have more than 400 members across ten states and approximately 1,500 people on its mailing list.

• 1980

  Organization founded

  [1]National Organization of Italian American Womenen.wikipedia.org

  Aileen Riotto Sirey and a group including Geraldine Ferraro, Matilda Cuomo, Donna deMatteo, Bonnie Mandina, and Roseanne Colletti established NOIAW to build a national network for Italian American women.

A heritage-based women’s network that links Italian American identity with education, professional advancement, mentoring, cultural preservation, and international exchange.

1. 1National Organization of Italian American Womenen.wikipedia.org
2. 2National Organization of Italian American Women official websitenoiaw.org