Now a days it's getting harder and harder to tell the real Italian Americans from the so called, mainstream media "Italian Americans." I think its fair to say you can have your own definition or meaning of being Italian American based on how you were culturally brought up or what the "norm" is --based on your geographic/ tri-state location. Its so hard to explain what that actually means, but to break it down, I guess everyone wants to be Italian American. Can you blame them?As I was working on some new projects for the Italian American Girl site, I began to think who are the real Italian Americans? I have a hard time accepting the mainstream ideas, images, personas and stereotypes. Then, I said to myself the very purpose of my site was to really feature the true ITALIAN AMERICANS the local personas, friends and celebrities.
I can speak for myself as an Italian American woman, that I'm proud of who I am, where I come from and what I've achieved. As the Italian American Girl site grows we've included and featured many up and coming; successful Italian American women.
The focus is to bring positive attention to the accomplishments of the real Italian American Girls.
Take a look at the list for the Top Italian American Women:
Margaret Fontana.- Creator of the Italian American Girl Site & Italian Americans in Social Media.
Alicia Vitarelli- Television Anchor & Media Personality for News12 NJ
Dawn DelRusso- Stylist and Fashionista
Giada Valenti - Singer, Songwriter
Patricia Volonakis Davis- Italian American Author
Rossella Rago - Host of "Cooking With Nonna"
Serena Palumbo- Accomplished Professional & Contestant on Food Network's "The Next Food Network Star"
Maryann Maisano- Comedian and creator of "Italian Chicks"
Ornella Fado- Host of Brindiamo TV
If you would like to be considered for the Top Italian American Women's List on IAG, please email me to be included with a brief bio and link to your site.
Grazie!
7 comments:
This post gave me chills, Margaret. Thank you so much for including me. It is an honor!
Hi Margaret, Firstly gotta say that I love the new landing page background. In regards to the consideration request, I would like to submit my Mama! Her qualifications include: learning a totally new language (English), Working in a totally new environment (the old sweat shops of Hoboken),raising 3 children (including one pain in the *ss: ME and making sure we all pursued a full education for a better life), and supporting her husband in their decision to start a new life in America. Today, she still speaks with a great, and I mean GREAT Italian accent and thinks I make fun of her when I speak like her, even though I tell her I'm not, I just love the accent "you no, I nev-a went to schoola like you". Even though she is now long retired and busy being a nonna, she still runs around the house making sure that her meals are the best they could be "Do you know how much-a you would pay for this-a meal in-a da ristorante"?
Unfortunately she doesn't have a web site, and yells at me to take down her photos from "face-a-book-a", so I can't send you any links.
So, my entry to your list would be: Maria (Amato), Calabrese
I don't think it should be something like the "Italian American girl", everyone is unique in itself.
I'm Italian, ( because I'm born and live in Italy ) and I love many Italian things, because I am accustomed to them, but I don't consider myself like any other Italian.
I am me.
If I identify myself with the Italians, and some "Italians" start doing things that for me are wrong?
Could I say that they are not Italians? No, because they are.
If we stop to identify ourself with a group, a nation, a religion, etc...and we start to identify only with ourself we can live in peace with everyone.
We can control what we are and what we do, but we cannot control what other people do.
And I don't want to be considered like people I don't even know.
Thank you for including me in this list. I am proud to be Italian and even more proud that I live in the US!
Ciao
Hi Everyone, Thank you so much for your feedback and opinions! Much appreciated! Ci sentiamo!
-Margaret
Hi Margaret, I'm curious what you may have heard about the Biselli or Bizelli surnames, knowing os much about Italian American heritage such as you do. I think I'm 3rd generation (not really in touch, but would like to be). God bless - Curt Bizelli
I love that you have so much pride in being Italian-American. Who wouldn't?! We have the best of both worlds! I am a 3rd-generation Italian- American of 100% southern Italian descent (Potenza & Palermo), and am happily passing along the recipes, traditions and strong family values to my 4th generation children. And I fully expect that they will pass it all on to theirs (or I'll guilt them to death!!) Keep up the great work Margaret!
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