National News

National Past Presidents Receive Dr. Vincenzo Sellaro Award

Vincent Sarno and Vera Ferrara Girolami—both National Past Presidents of the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America (OSDIA)—were presented with the Dr. Vincenzo Sellaro Award at the Order’s virtual Plenary Session on Saturday, February 12, 2022. The award, which is traditionally presented at the Biennial Convention, was created in 1989 and is named for the Order’s founder. It recognizes OSDIA members who have distinguished themselves by exemplifying the ideals and principles of the Order. The Dr. Vincenzo Sellaro Award is the highest award presented to a member of OSDIA.

Vincent Sarno has been a member of the Giuseppe Garibaldi Lodge #1658 in Hammonton, New Jersey, for over 20 years and the Enrico Fermi Lodge # 2229 in Medford, New Jersey, for over 30 years. In 2005, he was elected to serve as the Order’s 30th National President. Following his presidency, he served as Sons of Italy Foundation (SIF) President for two terms and was named SIF President Emeritus.

In addition to his supreme council offices, he successfully served as chairman of committees overseeing membership, fundraising, and education. He served as Education Chair for the committee that planned and conducted OSDIA’s first-ever National Youth Summit in Washington, D.C. Vera Ferrara Girolami has been a member of the Modesto Lodge #2021 in California for over 35 years. In 2017, she was sworn in as the Order’s 36th National President, becoming the second woman in OSDIA history to serve in that position. During her term, the Order’s name changed from the Order Sons of Italy in America to the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America. Prior to serving as National President, she served in many positions, including Local Lodge President for three terms and Grand Lodge of California Convention Chair for two years. She founded and, for 22 years, chaired the Vincent Sarno holds his Sellaro Central Valley OSDIA Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organi-

Award in front of St Lucy’s zation that raised more than $350,000 for communities

Roman Catholic Church in and charities. In 2005, Vera became the first woman to be

Newark, New Jersey. elected President of the Grand Lodge of California.

Vera Ferrara Girolami holds her Sellaro Award inside Modesto Lodge #2021.

OSDIA Releases New Logos

In January, the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America (OSDIA) released new official organizational logos. The new logos reflect the name change that OSDIA underwent in August 2017 at the 55th Biennial Convention, when it began doing business as the “Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America.”

Originally, OSDIA was named Ordine Figli d’Italia—or “Order Children of Italy.” However, because the plural of children is masculine in the Italian language, this translated as Order Sons of Italy in America, the name that the organization carried until it was officially changed.

Now, logos bearing this name have been created and released for the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America in three versions: orange, black and white, and gold. Logos have also been released for the Sons of Italy Foundation—the philanthropic arm of OSDIA—and the Commission for Social Justice—the anti-defamation arm of OSDIA.

To obtain the logos in PNG file format, contact the National Office at nationaloffice@osia.org