The Order Sons of Italy in America is the largest and oldest organization of men and women of Italian heritage in North America. Established in 1905 as a mutual aid society for the early Italian immigrants, OSIA today has more than 600,000 members and a network of over 700 chapters coast to coast, making it the leading service and advocacy organization for the nation’s 26 million people of Italian decent. Its missions include encouraging the study of Italian language and culture in American schools and universities; preserving Italian American traditions, culture, history and heritage; promoting closer cultural relations between Italy and the United States.
Our philanthropic arm, The Sons of Italy Foundation (SIF), was established by OSIA in 1959. To date $100,000,000 has been given to scholarships, medical research, cultural preservation, disaster relief and other projects. Our anti-defamation arm, The Commission for Social Justice (CSJ), is committed to fighting racism, prejudice and the stereotyping of all races, religions and cultures.OSIA’s national offices are located in Washington, DC, not far from the Capitol Building and congressional offices.
Dr. Vincenzo Sellaro, founder of the Order Sons of Italy in America, was born April 24, 1868 in Polizzi Generosa, near Palermo, Sicily. The son of a shoemaker, Sellaro received his medical degree from the University of Naples in 1895 and immigrated to the United States in 1897. Settling in New York City, he completed his post graduate studies at Cornell University Medical School and obtained his license to practice medicine in New York State. He founded OSIA to assist immigrants arriving from Italy in the early 20th century.
Our lodge is named in memory of Sgt. John Basilone, a New York State native and son of Italian immigrants from Colle Sannita, Campania. His actions as a United States Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant on Guadalcanal during World War II, single-handedly turned the tide of the Pacific Campaign, bringing victory to the USA for the first time in the Pacific. Despite being awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, Sgt. Basilone insisted on being allowed to rejoin his men in combat, citing his loyalty to them. His request was granted, Basilone was sent to Iwo Jima in 1945, and was killed in action while leading his men to victory there.
