NOIAW, a national organization dedicated to empowering, connecting and inspiring women of Italian American descent recently celebrated the Epiphany by recognizing the achievements of “Three Wise Women,” and the role their heritage has played in their achievements. According to Pat Tinto, president of the 43-year-old nonprofit, the traditional ceremony is usually held in January in each of NOIAW’s four regions.

The 2023 recipients of the award in Connecticut were: Renee DiNino, (Hartford) Director of Community Affairs & On Air Programming, iHeartMedia; Anna Francese Gass, (New Canaan) Cookbook Author, Recipe Developer, Culinary Influencer; Sabina Porcaro Petillo, (Fairfield) M.D., Physician, Community Leader. 

“These Three Wise Women represent the essence of Italian American culture, with their exemplary values of family, faith, and community,” said Pat Tinto, NOIAW President, and former Connecticut region leader. “Every day they are making a difference and enriching the lives of others through their shared heritage. We are proud to recognize these leaders from various fields including broadcast journalism, the culinary arts and medicine_.

Past NOIAW Wise Women Fran Pastore, founder and CEO Women’s Business Council, was the event’s MC.  Lt. Gov Susan Bysiewicz and Hon. Consul General of Italy in Connecticut, Barbara Zichichi also addressed the crowd of 100 community members, friends and family.

One of the CT Wise Women, Anna Francese Gass was born in Calabria, Italy but came to America when she was just a year old. She is now a “culinary influencer” with thousands of followers on social media, a cookbook author and recipe developer.  In a recent column for the NY Times Cooking newsletter, Anna introduced the “quintessential cucina povera,” which roughly translates as ‘frugal cuisine of the poor’ in Italian, and originated in Calabria.

In her remarks, she said that while she grew up American in Rhode Island, she learned the ways of her Italian heritage in her home.  It wasn’t until she attended college that she learned of the history of Italian Americans and then understood the sacrifices made by her grandparents who emigrated from the mountains of Southern Italy. 

Her grandparents arrived in America with “small suitcases and big dreams. Dreams for a better life for themselves, but more importantly, for their children.” Ms. Gass emphasized.

“It wasn’t easy, as they were mistreated, had to fight for every opportunity, and were given little to no support (except from their community). [And yet] they persisted. And because of their values and that persistence, they achieved. Their small successes translated to our significant accomplishments.”

iHeart Radio host and director of community affairs in Connecticut, Renee DiNino, also cited the sacrifices of her grandparents and other immigrants when explaining why the Wise Woman award was most meaningful to her:

“From my great-grandparents, grandparents to my mother, if it weren’t for their history, the strength of their experiences, I could not possibly be who I am today," DiNino asserted.

"The stories of war, immigration to this country, losses and triumphs, I truly could not appreciate what I have today if it weren’t for my family. I’m forever grateful for the respect of family, life and work that was instilled in me since birth.”

When she is not hosting her hourlong syndicated talk show or chatting with celebrities on the The River 105.9, or hosting channel 3 WFSB’s the Lost and Pound Pet segment, Renee DiNino is volunteering for countless humane causes like the Campaign for Bully Free Communities, advocating for Military and Veteran nonprofit centers, or serving on multiple boards and committees reflecting her various interests, including FoodShare, Operation Fuel, Special Olympics Connecticut and Autism Speaks.

In accepting the Wise Woman award, Dr. Sabina Porcaro Petillo acknowledged the role her parents played in teaching her and her siblings to honor their Italian culture and how that respect of traditions and one’s heritage is a core competency in her medical training:

“Learning about and understanding one’s culture prepares one to understand and respect other cultures. And that is what creates a community of understanding and respect,” Dr. Petillo stated.

“Cultural competency is emphasized in medical school and in continuing medical education. It is a foundation for serving others and for interacting with others at all levels.”

Dr. Petillo went on to cite NOIAW’s mission “to create a thriving and inclusive community that embraces Italian culture.” NOIAW supports personal fulfillment and empowerment because it serves “to educate and share our heritage and nurture those around us and in turn understand the importance of embracing all cultures and traditions with respect.”

After attending medical school in Rome, Dr. Petillo’s professional life merged with her father’s, also a physician, as she joined him in private practice.  A practitioner of the power of saying yes, Sabina engaged in professional activities to enrich and expand healthcare not only for her patients but her colleagues.

As a community leader she has been involved with WINGS: Women, Inspiring, Nurturing, Giving, Strength and Support, The United Way, and the Women’s Leadership Council. 

As First Lady of Sacred Heart University, where Dr. Petillo’s husband, John Petillo is president, Dr. Petillo has turned the President’s residence into a venue for students, parents, and trustee events. She is a presence on Campus, often seen attending arts events, mass in the beautiful Chapel of the Holy Spirit, athletic events, a March for Breast Cancer, or moderating an academic panel to name just a few.

Epiphany celebrations featuring Italian American Wise Women were also held in NOIAW’s three other regions on the East Coast: Greater New York, Greater Washington DC (including Virginia and Maryland) and Rhode Island.

Proceeds from these events support the organization’s cultural programs, mentoring, scholarship and cultural exchange initiatives, all of which impact and change lives.

To become a member or learn more about NOIAW, please visit our website: www.noiaw.org. Or call the office, 212 642-2003.

ABOUT NOIAW: NOIAW is a nonprofit founded by Dr. Aileen Riotto Sirey in 1980 at the suggestion of the late Congresswoman Geraldine Ferraro, the first woman to run for Vice President as a major political party candidate.

NOIAW was founded to create a national network which supports the educational and professional aspirations of its members and combats ethnic stereotypes by promoting positive role models.