The National Organization of Italian American Women (NOIAW), the only national organization for women of Italian ancestry, holds its Annual Luncheon and Silent Auction at the St. Regis New York on Saturday,April 14, 2018 at 11:30 AM and honors two accomplished Italian American women: Lorraine Grillo, President, New York City School Construction Authority, began her career at the SchoolConstruction Authority (SCA) over 23 years ago as ma Community Relations specialist for the borough of Queens and was promoted to a variety of positions within the agency. After successfully opening 26 new schools, the single mostsuccessful year in SCA history, she was appointed to the permanent position as President and CEO. Through a reappointment by Mayor Bill de Blasio in February 2014, Ms. Grillo has held her current position of President under his new administration making her one of only two re-appointments from the prior administration and the longest serving SCA president.

Gina Gionfriddo, playwright and screenwriter, is a two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist for Rapture, Blister, Burn and Becky Shaw. She has received an OBIE Award, a Guggenheim Fellowship, The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, an Outer Critics Circle Award, The Helen Merrill Award for Emerging Playwrights, and an American Theatre Critics Association/Steinberg citation. She has written for the television dramas “Law & Order,” “Law & Order: Criminal Intent,” “Law and Order True Crime: Menendez,” “Cold Case,” “Borgia,” “The Alienist,” and “House of Cards.”

Also receiving the Preeminent Friend of NOIAW Award is Mr. Joseph M. Mattone, Sr., CEO, The Mattone Group, LLC a development, construction and property management company in Queens. Many organizations have benefitted from his generosity as he has been an active philanthropist throughout his successful and distinguished career.

Tickets for the luncheon start at $300 and are available at NOIAW.org. More than 200 guests are expected at the event, including the Consul General in Italy to New York, Hon. Francesco Genuardi. The celebration begins with a silent auction and reception featuring gift certificates to some of New York City’s best restaurants, travel packages to Italy, designer handbags and accessories.

“Since our founding in 1980, NOIAW has supported and inspired Italian American women,” said Maria Tamburri, NOIAW Chair. “As we begin our 38th year, we are extremely proud to honor Lorraine Grillo and Gina Gionfriddo, two women of distinction and prominence in their respective fields. We look forward to acknowledging Mr. Joseph M. Mattone, Sr. with the Preeminent Friend of NOIAW Award in appreciation for his generous support of our organization and its mission.”

ABOUT NOIAW [2]

The mission of The National Organization of Italian American Women is to unite and connect women through Italian culture and heritage; to celebrate the achievements of women of Italian ancestry; to inspire and enrich members with shared interests in cultural programs; and to empower and advance the educational and professional aspirations of current and future generations.

For more information about NOIAW, its members and programs, or to become a member, visit www.noiaw.org, [2] call (212) 642-2003, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. The National Organization of Italian American Women, Inc. is a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization. Contributions are tax deductible to the full extent permitted