History was made during the 52nd annual celebration of the Patchogue Italian Feast of Saint Liberata on Saturday, September 7th when 87-year-old Grace Rizzi-Gallipoli was named as their first female Italian-American of the year. 

According to an announcement released by the organization, Rizzi-Gallipoli was born on February 13, 1932 in Montescaglioso, a small town in the Basilicata region of Italy, the oldest of her seven siblings. She left school in 6th grade to help her mother around the home and work as a seamstress. The family grew olives, figs, and grapes on a farm located on the outskirts of their town.