Traditions Seen Today

Italian Immigrant Women: Weaving their Way into the Multi-Cultural Society in Connecticut



Traditions Seen Today

There are many factors that define a powerful Italian American woman, including a strong work ethic and central moral values. Future generations of these women will never come close to the amount of work they tirelessly did, or the sacrifices they made to overcome illiteracy, prejudice, and hardship. These powerful women kept moral values close to them, including a close-knit family and devotion to their catholic faith. Family defined who they were as people. They had the over achieving task of providing love and stability at home, while helping to support the family’s financial needs alongside their husbands. They taught their children the importance of respect and pride of being an Italian, even if they weren’t in Italy anymore. This pride defines an Italian American woman. This pride celebrates the family’s history and accomplishments. This pride is rooted in the feeling of confidence, in knowing who they are, and for being grateful for what has been given. 


Italian Immigrant clothing worker with her bundle of “homework.” Lower East Side, New York City. Photographer Lewis Hine, Kheel Center.


Factory Floor Triangle Shirtwaist Company, c. 1908.

Kheel Center.


Thanks to Italian American women, like my grandmother, Italians today can enjoy the true American lifestyle, while carrying on their traditions for the generations to follow. The traditional recipes of homemade pasta and tomato sauce, the cannolis and zeppole to name a few.  These traditional recipes can be found on Wooster Street, in New Haven, where you can find the famous Pepe’s Pizza. Italian American women broke barriers that left a mark on Connecicut’s culture, using their work ethic to overcome obstacles such as illiteracy and prejudice while maintaining their Italian traditions.


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