Since 2011, the Italian Heritage and Culture Committee-NY, Inc. has been entrusted, through now retired NY Supreme Court Justice Dominic Massaro, with the spiritual welfare of the Mother Italy Statue on the grounds of Hunter College, NYC. Annually, the IHCC-NY, Inc. hosts a tribute to mothers during Mother's Day weekend, honoring accomplished Italian or Italian American women.

This year's honorees are: Dr. Aileen Sirey and Maria Tamburri, of the National Organization of Italian American Women (NOIAW) Board of Directors. NOIAW was founded 35 years ago and is celebrating that milestone. The IHCC-NY, Inc. Board of Directors, consisting of Italian and Italian American leaders in the greater N.Y. area, proudly has also announced its 40th year anniversary of founding. In commenting on this year's NOIAW milestone anniversary, Joseph Sciame, President/Chair-IHCC-NY, stated: "We are particularly pleased to recognize NOIAW for all of its fine work in its 35 years of history. Throughout these three and half decades, NOIAW has brought about greater awareness of the achievements of Italian American women, and has provided scholarship support to young women and afforded them an international experience. For all these reasons, we salute them in a special way."

In accepting the recognition on behalf of NOIAW, both Dr. Sirey and Mrs. Tamburri are themselves women of achievement.

Aileen Riotto Sirey, Ph.D, founded NOIAW in 1980 with a group of women, including Geraldine Ferraro, Matilda Raffa Cuomo. Donna de Matteo, Constance Mandina and Roseanne Coletti. In addition to maintaining a private psychotherapy practice for more than for more than twenty-five years, she also served as part-time Executive Director of the National Institute for the Psychotherapies. Dr. Sirey is the recipient of numerous awards including the titles of Commendatore and Cavalieri in the Order of the Merit of Republic of Italy and Ellis Island Medal of Honor.

Maria Tamburri, National Chair, was a managing partner/principal for West Hudson, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in management development and labor productivity. Her prior professional experience was in human resources and executive recruitment. Mrs. Tamburri has served on several not-for-profit boards and was NOIAW's Executive Director from 2008 to 2011.

A luncheon at Vivolo's Restaurant immediately follows the ceremony, as listed in the invitation announcement.