The Coccia Institute for the Italian Experience in America in collaboration with the Montclair Women’s Club, will present a conversation with Andrea Cammarato-Van Benschoten, author of The Italians of Newark, and Marialena Marzullo, an MSU Alumna/Co-Chair of the Montclair-Aquilonia Sister Cities Agreement.
A Newark native, Andrea Cammarato–Van Benschoten has a passion for her heritage, hailing from Campania and Sicily, and her familial ties to the Old First Ward of Newark. Graduated from Seton Hall University with a Bachelors Degree in Journalism, this has inspired her to write her book The Italians of Newark and multiple blogs, including one about New Jersey and one about her Italian heritage.
A Montclair native and Montclair State University alumna, Marialena Marzullo is very active in the town of Montclair where she is on the Advisory and Leadership Teams and oversees the Community Outreach Program at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. She is the Co-Chair of the Montclair-Aquilonia Sister Cities Agreement, that celebrates over 100 years of the settlement of Aquilonesi immigrants in Montclair, including her family.
Marialena is also Vice President of Montclair UNICO, Consigliere and Vice President of New Jersey for Federazione delle Associazioni della Campania USA, Treasurer of the Italian Apostolate of the Archdiocese of Newark, and a leading coordinating member of The Saint Vito Society.
The Coccia Institute invites the public as they explore the Italian immigrant experiences in Essex County, including a century of Italian Christmas traditions. Italian Christmas cookies will be provided for attendees.
On Tuesday, December 17th at 7pm at the Montclair Women’s Club (82 Union Street in Montclair) you are invited to celebrate the launch of Andrea Cammarato-Van Benschoten’s Italians of Newark, followed by an exclusive Q&A session with Andrea and Marialena. Moderated by Coccia Institute Director, Mark Rotella.
RSVP here.
