Senator Dodd is planning a fundraiser, in New Haven; the theme is "Women's History Month" and "Women's Achievements."

The guest of honor is Lorraine Bracco (Dr. Melfi) of the Sopranos; touted as a "special guest".

Diana Proto Avino, a CT Milken National Educator, and Elementary School Teacher,
expresses the anger and indignation of a Connecticut Italian American, of a Parent, of a Teacher, and of a Woman in her letter below.

After reading this you may want to sent your comments to Senator Dodd.
You can sent the e-mail to Kathy@chrisdodd.com.  If you go to the Chris Dodd's web page, there is a place to send him a message.....but no e-mail address.
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March 20, 2004

Dear Senator Dodd,

     On receiving an invitation to “Women... ‘Inspiring Hope & Possibility’” in honor of Women's History Month and in support of Senator Christopher J. Dodd, I said to myself, terrific topic, good idea and I get to support the Senator of my choice.

       As my eyes continued to glance at the invitation my mind went blank. I was
confused and shocked and immediately angered by the word “Sopranos” on this
invitation. It is for this reason that I am writing this letter.

     First, let me say that I have been a supporter of you, Chris Dodd, and the Democratic Party for all my years as a voter and even earlier, since my parents where always very involved in politics and letting their choice of candidates be heard and supported.

       I am the daughter and granddaughter of Italian immigrants and am very proud tosay that I am an Italian-American. As an elementary school teacher, I share with my students the passion of my ethnicity so that they can be passionate about their own. I also share with them my passion for the democratic government of which they are a part and my firm belief that one day, not so far in the future, it will be their voices that will make and define America.

       They are fourth- and fifth-graders just beginning to understand the values that are important to the many diverse cultures of our country, but also just beginning to understand that they have a voice. When luncheons like this come my way, it is usually a great jumping off point for my students to get involved in conversations about government and how important it is to know the power of their voice.

       But this time, with this event, I could not tell them about the great Senator from Connecticut or the other people in attendance who live their lives every day to make America and the world a better place to live because I would not, could not, in all good conscience, attend. But I did need to let my voice be heard.

     As an Italian-American and a woman, I cannot understand what you were
thinking when you chose a special guest speaker from The Sopranos. There has
been, in my opinion, no other entity including the trilogy of the “Godfather” that has more perpetuated the negative stereotyping of Italians.

       Always, I have emphasized the importance of Women's History Month--in my classroom we call it Herstory--but I never in my wildest imagination would have put a woman on the list of role models that “Inspire Hope & Possibility” whose major claim to fame is playing a role on a violent Mafia television movie.

       I say again, I do not know what you were thinking when this luncheon was being planned, but I do know that you were not considering the constituency that you represent, because that is me and many other women and Italian-Americans who share my opinion.

     Please hear my voice, the one I tell my students they have, the one I
tell them will help shape America, the one my parents were so proud to say they
had as Italian-Americans.

       It is the job of those who represent us in government to keep America a place free from negative stereotyping of its many ethnic, diverse people, and when speakers represent what is good about our country and what is important about the men and women who have truly inspired and made a difference in our world, those speakers should themselves be role models that we can present to all our citizens, most importantly, to our future Americans, our children.

With great respect for your role in making America a better place every day,

Diana Proto Avino
CT Milken National Educator
Clinton, Connecticut
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ACCENTUATE the Positive, ELIMINATE the Negative!!!!

Speaking out with One Voice against Negative Stereotyping

Italian-American One Voice Coalition is a national network of activists enabling the Italian American community to act as one united voice when dealing with defamation, discrimination and negative stereotyping.

Member organizations provide a liaison with the IA One Voice Coalition to disseminate information to the Italian American community and protest with one voice against each outrage against our heritage, culture and character.

Italian American One Voice - Who We Are

Web Site:
Italian American One Voice Coalition
http://www.italianamericanonevoice.org/iaindex.html