Celebrate International Women's Day - La Festa delle Donne - with a deep dive into Italian American women's lives. Marianne Leone, author and actor, will speak about her journey as an Italian American woman, growing up and coming of age as a first generation Italian American near Boston during a period when being recognized as an American was considered the most important goal for children of immigrants. Marianne's storied career as an author and actor includes an Italian book tour where she finally had to learn Italian, and her role as Joanne Moltisanti, mother of “Christopher” played by Michael Imperioli, in The Sopranos. Join us in Canton as Marianne shares some of these highlights before introducing us to her latest book, Five-Dog Epiphany, described as “a gorgeous and often hilarious memoir.” Her book Ma Speaks Up, an account of her early years in her family, engages its readers with stories of family, growing up Italian American, and strong women in her life. Thank you to the following organizations for support of this event: Canton Public Library, Cultural Italian American Organization (CIAO), Italian American Alliance (IAA) and Pirandello Lyceum. The event is free but registration is required. Please consider making a donation to NOIAW that will help us create an inclusive community that embraces and celebrates Italian culture, and empowers Italian American women's history and heritage.