The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem Bestows Knighthood on Maria Fosco for Her Religious and Community Work

Maria Fosco, co-founder and vice president of the Italian American Museum knighted.

New York (PRWEB) November 14, 2004 -- New York-The Italian American Museum and the John D. Calandra Italian American Institute/Queens College, The City University of New York, are proud to announce that the Director of Administration and Community Programs at the Calandra Institute, Maria Fosco, was conferred as Dame of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. The award was sponsored by Renato Raffaele Cardinal Martino, President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace in the Roman Curia.

Ms. Foscos induction took place on Saturday, September 18th 3PM at the Cathedral of St. Patrick during the Mass of Investiture. At the Mass, Cav. Fosco received the Insignia of the Order-the Jerusalem Cross. A reception and dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel followed the Mass.

Ms. Fosco already has the rank of Cavaliere (Knighthood) of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Italy, Dama (Dame) of the Order of Merit of Savoy and Cavaliere per La Pace nel Terzo Millennio (Knight of Peace for the Third Millennium) from the International Center for Peace in Assisi, Italy.

Ms. Foscos parents emigrated from Orsogna, Abruzzo, Italy in the late 1950s. Born and raised in Astoria, New York, Ms. Fosco has been active in the Italian American community since she was a young girl when at 17 she was the first woman and the youngest person to be appointed Public Relations Officer for Orsogna Mutual Aid Society, Inc. Ms.. Fosco has been employed by the John D. Calandra Italian American Institute since 1986.

In 1992, when CUNY attempted to dismantle the Calandra Institute, Maria, in addition to giving important testimony during a Preliminary Injunction Hearing in Federal Court against the University on behalf of the Italian American community played an important role in preparing the case for trial (Scelsa v. CUNY), which was eventually settled in 1999. This case set precedent in that it was the first time Italian Americans were recognized as a cognizable racial group" using the Civil Right Acts of 1866 and 1964. It has been said that this case is the most significant civil rights case in fighting discrimination against Italian Americans in the United States.

In 1996, Ms. Fosco received the Distinguished Service Award" presented by the then Consul General of Italy, Minister Franco Mistretta and later in 2002 by Consul General Giorgio Radicati on behalf of the Italian government in recognition of her outstanding contribution and dedicated service to the Italian American community. In 1997, she received a Certificate of Special Appreciation" from the New York Conference of Italian American State Legislators. In 2001, Maria was Honorary Marshal of the Bronx Columbus Day Parade.

In 2002, Ms. Fosco received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Columbia Association of NYC Firefighters for her contribution in assisting families of Italian American firefighters who suffered from the World Trade Center Tragedy. On her 40th birthday, she received an Honorary Doctorate from LAccademia Tiberina Istituto di Cultura Universitaria e Di Studi Superiori from Rome, Italy for Distinguished Service in promoting Italian Art, Literature, and Science. In September 2002, Maria was awarded the Medaglia DOro (Gold Medal) from the Federation of Abruzzesi Associations in the United States in Boston, MA. She also received the Woman of the Year" award from the National Council of Columbia Associations in Civil Service for her contributions in the fundraising efforts for both the Columbia Association of the New York City Firefighters and the Columbia Association of the New York City Police Department after the World Trade Center Tragedy.

In 1998, Ms. Fosco was elected President of the Italian Welfare League, Inc., founded in 1920, one of the oldest and most prestigious philanthropic Italian American organization in New York City and now she serves as Chairwoman. In 2001, Maria was part of the delegation that accompanied Paul D. Pope, grandson of the first Italian American industrialist, Generoso Pope, founder of Il Progresso Italo-Americano newspaper, on his pilgrimage to Italy. While in Italy, Maria met with His Holiness Pope John Paul II to represent the Italian Welfare League. In 2004, Maria privately met again with his Holiness representing the Calandra Institute.

Ms. Fosco is currently a member of Board of Directors of Italian Heritage and Culture Month Committee, Inc.; the Coalition of Italo-American Associations, Inc.; the Federation of Italian American Organizations of Queens, Inc.; the Italian American Organizational Task Force; the Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations; and the Orsogna Mutual Aid Society. Ms. Fosco was appointed by Governor George Pataki to the New York State Division for Women/New York City Chapter. Maria is also Director of Development for the Italian Center of New York City, which assists recent Italian immigrants.

Ms. Fosco is listed in Whos Who Among Italian Americans and in The Italians of America. In 2004, Maria was featured in a new book, entitled Limbo: Blue-Collar Roots, White-Collar Dreams by journalist Alfred Lubrano on the lasting consequences of class mobility in America.

Ms. Foscos most significant achievement to date, however, is as a Founding Trustee, Vice President, and Secretary of the newly chartered Italian American Museum, which opened its doors in June 2001.

The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem is one of the oldest and most distinguished orders of Knighthood. Membership in the Order is conferred upon men and women for their leadership in the Church, in the community and in their own individual lives. They have made and continue to make an important contribution to the life of the Church in their own dioceses and in this country. The Grand Prior of the Eastern Lieutenancy is His Eminence, Edward Cardinal Egan, and Archbishop of New York.

Contact: Joseph V. Scelsa (212) 642 -- 2020

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