The Genealogy of Torre le Nocelle, Italy: Italian Red Cross League of Milford Massachusetts

Boston Globe Article - 14 May 1916, page 135

Mrs. C. C. Ardolino would be Caterina Vozella, wife of Clamanzio Celestino Ardolino. Unfortunately she would lose her oldest son Giovanni to the war a little over a year after this article was published.

"Milford, May 18 - A prominent resident organization working or the relief of European war sufferers is the volunteer association of women of Italian birth, known as the "Italian Red Cross Women's League," an organization that is bound together by no set rules or constitution other than a deep and common sympathy for their countrymen suffering from the effects of the war in Europe, and especially that phase of it extending along the Austrian-Italian frontier.

Early in 1915 the narration of the Italian connection with the conflict due to sense of National wrongs at the hands of Austria that incensed their husbands, fathers and brothers created like sympathy among the Milford women. When hostilities actually began there was no hesitation among the loyal daughters of Italy here to aid

At the instance of Mrs. Luigi Lucchini, North St., several patriotic women united as early as last June to send help to their suffering fellow country people and as a result last July these ladies held a concert and dance in Milford Town Hall as a benefit for war relief.

Last January a drama was given followed by a dance in the Driving Park Hall and still again last March a costume dance was given in Olivieri Hall. All these were eminently successful and there is now in preparation another attraction to be given this Summer.

The principals in the movement include Mrs. Luigi Lucchini, chairman; Mrs. Rose Scalzi, Miss Anita Bonzino, Mrs. Dina Mainini, Mrs. Emma Olivieri, Mrs. Vincenzo Calabrese, Mrs. Philip Cenedelia, Mrs. Lizzie di Gianantonio, Mrs. Teresa Caruso, Mrs. C. C. Ardolino.

With these are at least 20 more willing workers and back of these are 4500 of the Milford Italian colony. As fast as the net receipts are available they are transmitted through regular banking channels directly to Queen Helena of Italy, who expends the funds as she thinks fit and so welcome has it been that Mrs. Lucchini has received a highly treasured letter from the Queen herself expressing her gratitude and appreciation for the money and other gifts. More than 300 relatives of Milford residents are in the Italian armies and not a few have formerly lived here and worked in this State.

The activity of the Milford women will continue so long as the war lasts, but that ultimate victory will come to Italian armies is undoubted by Milford residents and the letters that reach here from the front express much confidence in a successful ending of the war."