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In Memoriam Italian Heritage Society Member Dr. Jane Fortune by Carol Faenzi

Philanthropist, Journalist and Author, Dr. Jane Fortune passed away on September 23. Most of her life’s work was centered on the research, restoration and exhibition of art by women in Florence, Italy. In 2009, she founded a nonprofit organization, Advancing Women Artists Foundation, dedicated to this mission. Among the important works her Foundation restored were Artemisia Gentileschi’s “ David and Bathsheba.” In 2013, the PBS documentary, Invisible Women: Forgotten Artists of Florence, based on her 2009 book by the same title, was awarded a regional Emmy as Best Documentary in the Historical/Cultural Program Category. These are just a few of many remarkable milestones Jane Fortune succeeded in reaching during he dynamic and passionate life. I was fortunate to have known her and for a few years, helped direct activities of her Foundation in the United States. She was a tireless advocate for these “invisible women artists” and I am happy to say, the work will go on. She left quite a legacy. She told me the thing that meant the most to her, was being recognized as a Citizen of Florence, the city she fell in love with during her college years. The Mayor presented this award to Jane at a ceremony in Florence and with her passing, a Mass was said for her on October 9, at the Basilica of Santa Croce.

Her Foundation: www.advancingwomenartists.org

Posted on by MikeLast updated

My Journey to Italian Citizenship, Achieving Dual Citizenship by Italian Americans

Lecture by:  Marlene Adami

One of our most interesting recent cultural lectures was about achieving dual citizenship by Italian Americans. IHSI member Marlene Adami presented the lecture about her personal experiences as she pursued that goal. Our founding member Jerry Roland, an attorney and the former Italian vice-consul for Indiana, was also present to answer questions by those who attended.  Marlene was able to document and charmingly illustrate, step-by-step, that journey in a PowerPoint file. With Marlene’s approval, we now make it available to our members who wish to also make that journey.

Click link below to view powerpoint presentation provide by Marlene;

ITALIAN CITIZENSHIPWEB 002

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La Festa dei Sette Pesci (The Feast of Seven Fishes)

The four weeks before Christmas are of part of the Advent season and it was a time of reflection and fasting. Christmas Eve was a time of abstaining from meat and thus fish was served. Especially in southern Italy, the meal evolved into a grand dinner with a tradition of serving seven different types of fish dishes. Many homes got around thi by making variations of a fish soup called cioppino or brodetto, in which seven, or less, types of fish or crustaceans were served in one pot!

For our Pranzo di Natale, Christmas Dinner, we encourage our members to bring as a side dish, a fish entry that may be traditional to your region or one of your choosing. I will bring baccala Triestino, made with muck maligned famous salt cod! Rina Piga will bring Brodetto and polenta. Check on the internet for information about la Festa dei Sette Pesci, and try one of the recipes……it will be fun to try some of these traditional dishes.

See you on the 10th of December. And….email or call me if you wish to volunteer to help with the event or have any question about it.

silvams@comcast.net Home: 317-569-9117 Cell: 317-833-0994