New ways to connect in a season of new beginnings

Springtime brings new beginnings and celebrations, family gatherings, and even parades. For the Delaware Valley Italian-American Herald, it means the creation of the first online year-round Italian American Resource Directory as a public information source. 

Our growing readership is seeking information from us, about Italian-American organizations and festivals in their area, scholarships and activities for their children, where to learn about their heritage, culture and traditions. As Italian Americans get further generations removed from their immigrant ancestors, it’s important for the younger generations to honor their roots and feel their ethnic pride. 

If you are involved with an Italian or Italian-American association, organization, club, foundation, cultural center or society, IAH has developed a survey to compile this information. Please visit www.italianamericanherald.com/survey/ to be included free in the upcoming Italian American Resource Directory.

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In the United States, March is Women’s History month. A little-known fact by today’s working women is that the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) passed in 1974 made it unlawful for credit-card issuers to discriminate against applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, or age.

I never realized that my mother’s credit card, up until a few years after my high school
graduation, was in my father’s name. Today, working women still face major obstacles 61 years after the Equal Pay Act was passed in 1963 requiring men and women to be paid equally for the same work. We’ve come a long way but still have a long way to go. 

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In celebration of Women’s History Month, the movie “Cabrini” will be premiering nationwide on March 8. Maria Francesca Cabrini was an Italian immigrant who became the first United States citizen canonized for sainthood in 1946 and the Italian-born founder of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. But few realize this Patron Saint of Immigrants, born in Lombardy, Italy, faced great obstacles. Initially having a desire to establish missions in China, in September 1887, at 30 years old, she went to Pope Leo XIII for his approval and instead he urged her, “not to the East, but to the West.” 

Italian immigrants in overwhelming numbers were venturing to the United States and many were living in great poverty. Arriving in New York City on March 31, 1889, she encountered disappointment, difficulties and racism with the archbishop and the mayor as she struggled being an Italian and a woman “with a voice” in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. By her passing in 1917 at the age of 67, she had built an orphanage for impoverished Italian Americans and accomplished great things. Bring your family to a local movie theater near you. For more info: www.angel.com/movies/cabrini

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Spring is the start of the event season. Register your upcoming events free of charge to appear online in the Calendar of Events. By filling out the online event form at www.ItalianAmericanHerald.com, within days, your event will be live. While there, sign up for the free bi-monthly IAH e-newsletter.

Buona Pasqua.