The Order Sons of Italy in America

The Order Sons of Italy in America (OSIA)

Frank De Santis, Panel Presenter

Sons of Italy Lodges: Culture/Language Preservation & Social Justice Advocacy

Who Is the Order Sons of Italy

The Order Sons of Italy in America (OSIA) is the largest and longest-established national organization for men and women of Italian heritage in the United States.
Established in 1905 as a mutual aid society for the early Italian immigrants, today OSIA has more than 600,000 members and supporters and a network of more than 700 lodges coast to coast, making it the leading service and advocacy organization for the nation's estimated 26 million people of Italian descent.
Its missions include encouraging the study of Italian language and culture in American schools and universities; preserving Italian American traditions, culture, history and heritage; and promoting closer cultural relations between the United States and Italy.

HISTORY

For Additional information see the History Section of your handout.

Originally called "L'Ordine Figli d'Italia," the Order Sons of Italy in America was established in the Little Italy neighborhood of New York City on June 22, 1905, by Vincenzo Sellaro, M.D., and five other Italian immigrants who came to the United States during the great Italian migration (1880-1923).

Their aim was to create a support system for all Italian immigrants that would assist them with becoming U.S. citizens, provide health/death benefits and educational opportunities and offer assistance with assimilation in America.

It was the Order that gave tens of thousands of Italian immigrants who came to the shores of America in the latter part of the 19^th century and the beginning of the 20^th century a sense of hope and a place of refuge against the startling acts of inhumanity inflicted upon them by the “true Americans.”

It was the Order that nurtured in them the idea that with hard work and perseverance they could make a better life for themselves and their children. It was the Order that built and maintained orphanages for Italian children in America left homeless.

It was the Order that protected the injustice of labeling Italians in America as “authentic enemy aliens” during World War II and on October 12, in Philadelphia, United States Attorney General Biddle issued a communication announcing the abolition of the shameful title of “enemy aliens” with respect to Italians living in America.

Highlights in OSIA's history:

In its early years, OSIA established free schools to teach immigrants English and centers to help them become U.S. citizens.
The first OSIA lodges established orphanages and homes for the elderly, life insurance and mortuary funds, credit unions, welfare societies and scholarship funds to aid members in need.
During World Wars I and II, OSIA members bought war bonds and war stamps to support the war effort, and lodges competed with each other to contribute the most money to the Red Cross.
In World War II, the OSIA Supreme Council (national officers) issued a resolution urging members to donate one day's salary to the national defense.
To date, OSIA members have given more than $91 million to educational programs, disaster relief, cultural advancement and medical research.

National Office in Washington, D.C., operates on behalf of OSIA's governing body.
Two subsidiary organizations of OSIA: Philanthropic arm: The Sons of Italy Foundation.
Anti-defamation arm: The Commission for Social Justice
20 state chapters (Grand Lodges)
More than 700 community-based chapters
OSIA History Timeline (as PDF file - 112K)

Today OSIA:

Researches Italian American culture and history
Promotes the study of Italian in the United States
Encourages young Italian Americans through scholarships and other educational programs
Organizes grassroots efforts to support legislation and other issues of importance to Italian Americans.
Raises money for worthy causes
Supports diplomatic relations between the United States and Italy

OSIA Headquarters

The OSIA National Office, located near Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., is staffed by professionals in public affairs, program management, public relations and membership services.
Contact the OSIA National Office Staff

Through the National Office, OSIA and its two subsidiary organizations, the Sons of Italy Foundation and the Commission for Social Justice, work to preserve Italian culture in the United States and identify solutions to the problems and issues facing Italian Americans today.

The National Office works on:

Public Affairs

Meeting with government leaders, White House officials, members of the U.S. Congress and senior federal government officials on issues of concern to Italian Americans
Developing relationships with other ethnic and minority groups
Working with the Italian government and corporate leaders to strengthen cultural and business relations between the United States and Italy
Public advocacy of worthwhile causes and legislation
National and international disaster relief efforts

Programs

Educational programs, including scholarships, the promotion of Italian language
Large-scale fundraising events
Cultural research and programs
Programs for students and young professionals
Grant programs
Support of medical research and other causes

Communications

Working with the news media (U.S. mainstream, Italian and Italian American sources)
Maintaining contact with other Italian American organizations, advocacy groups and the general public [See the Newsroom.]
Publishing Italian American magazine
Producing "OSIA Nation" newsletter (for OSIA leaders)
Developing advertising, videos, brochures and other publications for OSIA

History of the Grand Lodge of California

The Order Sons of Italy in America was founded in the State of California on September 22, 1922. As if to signify that as a center from which the Order would spread its roots over the entire State, its birth was in Fresno, geographical center of California and important seat of one of the richest agricultural zones of our Nation, enriched by the sacrifices, work and genius of Italians.

Through its Sons of Italy Western Foundation the Grand Lodge of California has contributed significant funds to many charitable organizations. During the past year contributions were made to scholarships, Students to Italy programs, Cooley's Anemia research, and the Alzheimer's Associations.

Since the establishment of the Birth Defects and Genetics Libraries program in 1974, more than $400,000 has been contributed in support of medical staff and pediatric genetics research.

This site was last updated 07/01/07