The National Federation of Italian American Societies, Inc. recently held its 45th Annual Awards and Scholarships Presentation Gala, celebrating the organization’s 53rd Anniversary.
The 2017 honorees were selected from an impressive list of candidates whose names had been submitted by members, friends and previous honorees. All are distinguished individuals and members of the community who met the stringent requirements and qualifications required by the organization.
In the words of the founder and President of the National Federation of Italian American Societies, Inc., Hon. Arnaldo A. Ferraro, PhD, “It is fitting and appropriate to honor those individuals, men and women, who have contributed so much to the improvement of our society and who have so magnanimously affected the lives of so many, by exhibiting great moral character and courage. The most important requirement for the choice of the honorees is their integrity of character and a deep sense of altruism and dedication to the community. All four of the 2017 honorees fulfilled these requirements.”
The recipient of the Successful and Effective Professional Award was awarded to Dr. Rosemary Ruggiero DeCarlo, a well-known physician in the New York area. Dr. Ruggiero has been practicing Obstetrics and Gynecology for over 20 years and is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of OB/GYN of NYU Langone.
The recipient of the Effective Community Member Award was Alberta Gulotta. She is an active member of the Italian American community. Ms. Gulotta, an educator, is the founder of The Little Language Studio, a school dedicated to the teaching of the Italian Language to youngsters. Born and raised in Brooklyn by Italian immigrant parents, Ms. Gulotta earned a degree in romance languages while studying abroad in Florence, Italy.
Mr. Giovanni Silvagni, Esq. received the 2017 Successful Professional Award. A practicing attorney, Mr. Silvagni is a cum laude graduate of St. John’s University Law School. He is the founder and partner of the Silvagni and Como Attorneys-at-Law, with offices in Brooklyn and Queens. Mr. Silvagni is a member of the prestigious Columbian Lawyers Association of Queens and Brooklyn and is also a member of numerous civic Italian American associations and charitable organizations.
The recipient of the Outstanding Leadership Award, Mr. Vincenzo Marra is the founder and Chairman of ILICA, Italian Language Inter-Cultural Alliance. Mr. Marra calls himself “an American by choice,” a definition used in 1964 by the President of the National Federation of Italian American Societies, Inc. on his receiving American citizenship. Mr. Marra’s impressive biography includes an immense record of recognitions and certificates, too many to list. He epitomizes the true image of the hard working and successful Italian immigrant, who is the perfect role model for “Gli Italiani nel mondo che nelle gloriose traditioni della loro terra d’origine trovano l’incentivo all’emulazione e al miglioramento di se’ stessi e degli altri.” Italians in the world who in the glorious traditions of their country of origin find the incentive to emulate and improve themselves and others.
