In the mid-20th century, Italian immigrants Luisa DeLauro and Linda DiPaola Saracco operated sewing machines in a dress factory at State and Chapel Streets. Thursday night, their politician daughters worked together to change Columbus Day in New Haven to “Italian Heritage Day.”

DeLauro’s daughter, Rosa DeLauro, represents New Haven in the U.S. House of Representatives. Saracco’s daughter, Anna Festa, serves on the city’s Board of Alders. The pair convened at a Zoom meeting of City Services and Environmental Policy Committee, which Festa chairs, on Thursday evening.