The Italian American Museum, Its Board Members and President Dr. Joseph V. Scelsa congratulate Uff. Maria T. Fosco on receiving the 2014 Fondazione Dean Martin Award

On Thursday, August 7th, the Dean Martin Foundation of Montesilvano (Pescara, Italy) honored Museum Vice President, Maria T. Fosco with the prestigious Dean Martin Foundation Award under the category dedicated to "Abruzzesi nel Mondo". The Mayor of Montesilvano, Francesco Maragno, President of the Department of Culture, Ottavio De Martinis and Foundation President, Alessandra Portinari bestowed the honors on Ms. Fosco and three other notable Italian Americans in a ceremony held at the famous Palazzo Baldoni.

Maria Fosco, a graduate of Hunter College of The City University of New York, received a Bachelor of Arts degree in History with a Specialization in International Affairs in 1985. She fought and won a fierce battle against the planned elimination of the John D. Calandra Italian American Institute, the center for studies for the Italian Americans of New York founded in 1979 and dedicated to New York State Senator John D. Calandra upon his passing in 1986.

On April 6, 2009 when an earthquake devastated her beautiful ancestral home of Abruzzo, Maria, went into action to find relief for the victims, raising $110,000 along with the Italian American Museum and personally delivering the funds to the Minister of Cultural Affairs.

She was awarded the title of "Ufficiale of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Italy", an internationally recognized honor given to individuals whose outstanding achievements contribute to Italian culture in the fields of literature, the arts, economy, public service, and social, philanthropic and humanitarian activities. Maria currently holds the position of Director of Administration and Events at the Office of the Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs at Queens College of The City University of New York.

There could be no more deserving person who has made a greater contribution to the Italian American culture.

Source: Italian American Museum