Italian Women’s Civic Club of Rochester, Inc.
© Italian Women’s Civic Club of Rochester, Inc. Website by Digital Perfection
HISTORY

Origin and Community Services

The Italian Women's Civic Club (IWCC) was organized in 1919 by 20 civic-minded women who joined efforts to educate women voters in citizenship, study civic concerns, and work for the beautification of Rochester. They soon discovered that education played a key role in fulfilling these goals. Since 1924, IWCC members have volunteered their time by participating in a variety of local events and functions. During World War II, they sold war bonds and stamps, volunteered as nurse's aides for the American Red Cross and assisted at the U.S.O. Members also collected books and records for Italian prisoners of war and sent food, clothing and financial aid to Italian orphanages. Picnics were held for widows and orphans of Italian heritage and the elderly. Humanitarian efforts were directed to the people of Italy and Hungary during the Florence Flood Relief Campaign and the Hungarian Relief Fund. Locally, during that time, members provided economically disadvantaged families with the necessities to survive, and initiated projects that benefited many local charities.

IWCC Presidents

Since the early 1900’s many women have taken the leadership role as President of the IWCC to promote philanthropy and bring about positive change for the Italian community.
Johanna Miceli Mary Sicilia Mary Polizzi Mattie Lucia Josephine DeFelice Mary Lucia Mae Lucia Elviria Bonsignore Madeline Pezzullo Virginia Arnone Rose Pilato Robinson Rose Carillo Florence Bianco Margaret Vincent Helen Barbato Ann Marie Lipari Rosalie LaDelfa Arline Liberti Pam Vazzana Louise Pomilla Sophie Rodemerk Rae Mungillo Jen Gugino Frances Passero Josephine Manuse Joyce Venniro Filomena Sarat Rae Mungillo Patty Bellittera Cathy Riehle
Italian Women’s Civic Club of Rochester, Inc.
© Italian Women’s Civic Club of Rochester, Inc. Website by Digital Perfection
HISTORY

Origin and Community Services

The Italian Women's Civic Club (IWCC) was organized in 1919 by 20 civic-minded women who joined efforts to educate women voters in citizenship, study civic concerns, and work for the beautification of Rochester. They soon discovered that education played a key role in fulfilling these goals. Since 1924, IWCC members have volunteered their time by participating in a variety of local events and functions. During World War II, they sold war bonds and stamps, volunteered as nurse's aides for the American Red Cross and assisted at the U.S.O. Members also collected books and records for Italian prisoners of war and sent food, clothing and financial aid to Italian orphanages. Picnics were held for widows and orphans of Italian heritage and the elderly. Humanitarian efforts were directed to the people of Italy and Hungary during the Florence Flood Relief Campaign and the Hungarian Relief Fund. Locally, during that time, members provided economically disadvantaged families with the necessities to survive, and initiated projects that benefited many local charities.

IWCC Presidents

Since the early 1900’s many women have taken the leadership role as President of the IWCC to promote philanthropy and bring about positive change for the Italian community.
Johanna Miceli
Mary Sicilia
Mary Polizzi
Mattie Lucia
Josephine DeFelice
Mary Lucia
Mae Lucia
Elviria Bonsignore
Madeline Pezzullo
Virginia Arnone
Rose Pilato Robinson
Rose Carillo
Florence Bianco
Margaret Vincent
Helen Barbato
Ann Marie Lipari
Rosalie LaDelfa
Arline Liberti
Pam Vazzana
Louise Pomilla
Sophie Rodemerk
Rae Mungillo
Jen Gugino
Frances Passero
Josephine Manuse
Joyce Venniro
Filomena Sarat
Patty Bellittera
Rae Mungillo