SFLIHW Newsletter Issue #1

San Francisco Little Italy Honor Walk

March 2025

Welcome to the first newsletter of the SFLIHW

The mission of the San Francisco Little Italy Honor Walk is to preserve and celebrate the incredible contributions of Italians to the fabric of San Francisco, past, present, and future. Situated in Washington Square Park, at the heart of Little Italy, this initiative aims to contribute to North Beach's status as a destination for both locals and visitors.

Message from the President

by Gina von Esmarch

The San Francisco Little Italy Honor Walk is a first-of-its-kind initiative uniting Italian cultural, business, and scientific organizations with a common goal: to honor and preserve the remarkable contributions of Italians and Italian American organizations to the fabric of San Francisco. Ideally situated in the heart of “Little Italy” in San Francisco at Washington Square Park, this initiative celebrates Italian heritage and preserves its legacy. The dedication of organizations such as COMITES SF, Italian Community Services, ITAL Foundation, Italian Scientists & Scholars in North America Foundation, Le Donne d’Italia, Museo Italo Americano, San Francisco Italian Athletic Club Foundation, and San Francisco Italian Heritage Parade, among others, has played an integral role in bringing this vision to reality.

Our journey began with the installation of the first two honorary plaques dedicated to our 37th Mayor of San Francisco, George Moscone, thanks to the support of Moscone Family, Lincoln Mitchell, James Molinari, and INNOVIT, and Dr. Mariana Bertola, thanks to the support of the Native Daughters of the Golden West, Grand President Darleen Carpenter, and Past Grand President Dawn Dunlap, Le Donne d’Italia, and symposium speakers Laura E. Roberto and Drew Bourn. These plaques symbolize the first steps in a long-term commitment to honoring the extraordinary contributions of Italians and Italian Americans in the San Francisco area.

I focus on fostering unity and using this platform as a launchpad for future initiatives that benefit our community. By working together, we can create meaningful engagement and lasting success. This project unites communities, sparking collaboration and creating opportunities that benefit the entire Italian American community. Together, we are laying the groundwork for future initiatives that honor our shared heritage and propel us forward.

With Appreciation

Vision with a Legacy: 2024 marked the official launch of the San Francisco Little Italy Honor Walk! This milestone would not have been possible without the dedication of the 2024 Board of Directors, advisors, and strategic partners—especially the leadership and civic efforts of Consul General Sergio Strozzi, 2024 President Jennifer Consalvi Hodges, and Arch. Simone Mazzetto. Together with their combined work, we've brought this vision to life, unveiling the first two plaques.

Consul General Sergio Strozzi: Through Consul General Strozzi's efforts, we were honored to be joined by Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, Mayor London Breed, the Moscone family, and other notable dignitaries at the inauguration of George Moscone's plaque. The presence of these individuals further underscores the significance of this initiative, which continues to strengthen the Italian American community and revitalize the North Beach neighborhood.

The SFLIHW project promotes in-depth engagement among local authorities, community leaders, and cultural organizations. Consul General Strozzi's active participation has been instrumental in amplifying that mission, enhancing outreach, facilitating key partnerships, and supporting fundraising efforts, as seen in Bank of America's involvement with the upcoming A.P. Giannini plaque.

Arch. Simone Mazzetto: A special note of appreciation to San Francisco Little Italy Honor Walk Art Director Simone Mazzetto, whose dedication and vision played a pivotal role in shaping the SFLIHW brand. At its core, Simone embraced the idea that the project was founded on the principle of uniting the most influential Italian and Italian American associations in the Bay Area, fostering collaboration and shared purpose. Beyond his artistic contributions, the role encompassed critical responsibilities, including securing city approvals, presenting at hearings, coordinating plaque placement, and overseeing installations. These efforts were instrumental in bringing this initiative to life and ensuring its lasting impact on our community.

Celebrating Our 2024 Honorees

This past year marked significant milestones for the San Francisco Little Italy Honor Walk. We proudly honored several distinguished individuals who have profoundly impacted our community:

Mayor George Moscone - A former Mayor of San Francisco, he was celebrated for his dedication to civil rights and social justice.

Dr. Mariana Bertola - A pioneering physician and advocate for women's rights, Bertola's contributions to healthcare and education remain influential.

For comprehensive biographies of all our 2024 honorees, please visit our Honorees Page.

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Reflecting on 2024

Thank you to our sponsors and those who provided in-kind donations when we needed them the most: Nibbi Brothers General Contractors (plaque placement), INNOVIT (Moscone symposium), Refreshments (Barbara/Francesco Covucci), COMITES SF (IOS App), SFIAC Foundation (plaque event staging/production, offsite event equipment & staff), Lee Bruno & Drew Bourne (historians aiding in research), Le Donne d’Italia & COMITES SF (historical research), and Drew Bourne (Bertola symposium speaker).

We also extend our deep gratitude to all our 2024 volunteers.

2024 Board of Directors: Consul General of Italy Sergio Strozzi (Honorary President), Jennifer Consalvi Hodges, Le Donne d’Italia (President), Nick Figone, SFIAC Foundation (Vice President), Giacomo Marini, ITAL Foundation (Vice President), Silvia Veronese, ITAL Foundation (Secretary), Timothy John Padovese, Italian Community Services (Treasurer), and Directors: Massimo Costetti and Gina von Esmarch (COMITES SF), Vyria Paselk Haverhals (Italian Community Services), Bill Mastrangelo (Italian Heritage Parade), Sandra Bagnatori (Museo Italo Americano), Sandy Martino (Le Donne d’Italia), and Alessandra Lanzara and Alessandro Ratti (Italian Scientists & Scholars in North America Foundation).

2024 Advisors and Volunteers: Simone Mazzetto (Design & Project Manager), Sharon Meagher, Italy SF Connect (Commercial & Community Manager), Serena Perfetto, Business Association Italy of America (Event & Press Advisor), Tom Trombadore, Trombadore Gonden Law Group LLP (Legal Advisor), Lee Bruno (Historian Advisor). Historical Researchers: Lisa Alexander, Gina Centoni, Sara Bianchi Chamberlin, Cristina Holloway, Natalie Mazzucco, Sonia Spadoni Alioto, Amy Squeglia, and Katie Walker.

Looking Ahead in 2025: Announcing Our Honorees & Upcoming Activities

We are excited to announce the distinguished individuals selected as our 2025 honorees:

A.P. Giannini – Founder of Bank of America, recognized for revolutionizing banking and supporting the growth of small businesses. (May 2025)

Amedeo Tommasini – Designed the United Nations Charter, united three Italian-American organizations, and led fundraising efforts during the Great Depression to establish the San Francisco Italian Athletic Club Foundation. (Q3 2025)

Father Raffaele Piperni – A beloved priest credited with bringing the Salesians of Don Bosco to North America, he was also recognized for his spiritual leadership and community service. (October 2025)

Antonietta Pisanelli – Esteemed local businesswoman who owned theaters in North Beach and was known for being a 'canzonettista'. (November 2025)

Mark Your Calendars! On October 12, 2025, we will celebrate these remarkable individuals at the longest-standing annual parade in the United States, the San Francisco Italian Heritage Parade. We invite you to join us in honoring their contributions to our community.

Upcoming Fundraiser: Build OUR Legacy

To continue our work celebrating and preserving Italian American heritage, we are organizing a fundraising gala this summer. This event will feature live entertainment, authentic Italian cuisine from local restaurants, and a silent auction. All proceeds will support the installation of new plaques and educational programs. Details and ticket information will be available soon on our Events Page.

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Introducing Our 2025 Board of Directors and Advisors

Officers:

President: Gina von Esmarch, COMITES SF

Vice President: Bianca Friundi, Museo Italo Americano

Vice President: Paul Tonelli, Italian Heritage Parade

Secretary: Sandy Martino, Le Donne d’Italia

Treasurer: Alessandro Ratti, Italian Scientists & Scholars in North America Foundation (ISSNAF)

Directors:

Massimo Costetti (COMITES SF)

Timothy John Padovese (Italian Community Services)

Vyria Paselk Haverhals (Italian Community Services)

Giacomo Marini (ITAL Foundation)

Silvia Veronese (ITAL Foundation)

Jennifer Consalve Hodges (Le Donne d’Italia)

Nick Figone (SFIAC Foundation)

Bill Mastrangelo (Italian Heritage Parade)

Alessandra Lanzara (Italian Scientists & Scholars in North America Foundation)

Sandra Bagnatori (Museo Italo Americano)

Advisors and Volunteers:

Legal Advisor: Tom Trombadore, Trombadore Gonden Law Group LLP

Historian Advisor: Lee Bruno, Author, Journalist, Historian

Press Advisor: Serena Perfetto

Commercial & Community Manager: Sharon Meagher, Italy SF Connect

Historical Researchers: Lisa Alexander, Gina Centoni, Sara Bianchi Chamberlin, Cristina Holloway, Natalie Mazzucco, Sonia Spadoni Alioto, Amy Squeglia, and Katie Walker.

Celebrating Our Successes: A Visual Journey

Coming Soon: Our website will feature a collection of photographs that capture the essence of our recent events and milestones.

Thank you for your continued support and commitment to preserving our rich heritage.

Warm regards,

Gina von Esmarch

President

San Francisco Little Italy Honor Walk

President@SFlittleitaly.us