Stamford Businesswoman To Receive 'Wise Woman Award'

A Stamford woman is one of three prominent and pioneering women who will be honored at The Connecticut Region of the National Organization of Italian American Women (NOIAW) sixth annual Epiphany Celebration.

The event is scheduled for 10 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 18, at the New Haven Lawn Club.

Stamford resident Fran Pastore is the founder and CEO of Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping women become economically self-sufficient.

As the leader of entrepreneurial and financial training for women in Connecticut, WBDC has been educating, empowering and promoting women’s economic security through entrepreneurship, financial education and expanded career opportunities for 17 years, since its founding by Pastore. A strong advocate for women’s economic equity, she has testified before the U.S. Congressional Democratic Steering and Policy Committee regarding the impact of the President’s American Jobs Act and before the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship on policy issues and continues to be a voice for women business owners as the new Coalition Partner Senior Advisor, for Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP).

Other honorees are Michele Napoli Etzel of Madison who is Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of National Graphics, Inc., a direct mail and printing firm in Branford; and Elaine Pagliaro, of Orange, who is Assistant Executive Director at University of New Haven’s Henry C. Lee Institute of Forensic Science.

The Master of Ceremonies will be U.S. Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro who will present this year’s Three Wise Women awards

President of Connecticut Region of NOIAW, Jo-Ann Daddio Larsen, said, “The Connecticut Region of the National Organization of Italian American Women, is proud to honor these Three Wise Women, chosen this year as they exemplify the continued achievements and advancement of Italian American women. In addition to personal career success, they serve as role models to young women and an inspiration to the Italian Americans in our community”.

Proceeds from the Epiphany Celebration help to support NOIAW programs such as the Mentor Program which pairs young Italian American women with established professionals; the Scholarship Program which provides financial assistance to students so that they may realize their dreams; and the Cultural Exchange Program which sends young Italian American women on educational group trips to Italy.

For tickets and sponsorship information, visit noiaw@noiaw.org or call 212-642-2003.

Photo: Fran Pastore. Credit: Twitter.com