Women Who Inspire: Angela Minicucci
President, Casa D'Italia
I first heard Angela speak at a social function about 6 years ago. I had never met her. She spoke flawlessly in three languages: Italian, French and English. It was a huge crowd and yet she managed to captivate everyone’s attention with her passionate conviction, eloquence, and poise. When I finally did meet her, I discovered a warm hearted, strong woman with sparkling eyes and a grounded and generous spirit.
With a background in architecture, Angela channeled her efforts into her past role as President at Casa D’Italia, which for the first time in its 75 years of existence has a female president. This in itself is an impressive feat and a wonderful example for all our young men and women – and she does it all while preserving and cultivating our ever growing and deeply rooted Italian heritage.
What do you do?
I carry out the mission statement of Casa d’Italia; that is, to preserve, promote and develop Italian-Canadian culture and identity, so that we don’t fall into oblivion, so that Italians don't become so assimilated that we’re just people with vowels in our last names.
What do you love about your job?
Hearing the life stories of our immigrants and having the importance of preserving our heritage reaffirmed. When I hear the stories of the internees, especially, those who arrived before WWII, what they went through, and knowing that this subject, 75 years later, is still unknown to the Canadian people, I want to do everything I can to raise awareness about our history as immigrants, to spotlight the fact that our ancestors really rose to the challenge of starting over in a new country. In 1971, 77% of Italians owned a house, while only 55% of Canadians could say the same. They put their nose to the grindstone and they got things done. And the beauty of all this is, that they did it with integrity.
As the first woman president of a predominantly male organization and the first female president of Casa d’Italia in 75 years, what was your biggest challenge?
My biggest challenge was raising the bar, to have the leadership to convince people that the bar can be raised.
"I served 3 mandates at the Casa d'Italia and it was now time to move on. The work we accomplished during my tenure was gratifying and hope that the Italian Canadian history continues to be the priority of the Casa d'Italia." - Angela Minicucci
In your life and line of work, how do you define success?
Success is going through those dark moments of your life, and when they’re behind you, knowing that your integrity, your heart and your spirit are intact.
What would you tell yourself twenty years ago that you wish you knew then?
To spend a lot more time with my child instead of working. I did the best I could in the context of my career, but my career could have waited a little longer. I wish that I had spent more time with my child.
In dark moments, in moments of adversity, how do you build yourself back up?
I tap into my heart. It has to feel right at all times. If my integrity is being tested, I continuously check in with myself and ask, “In ten years, am I going to regret the next thing I do or say?” I’m solid about what my values are. When something doesn't feel right, it’s because it isn’t. Whenever I ignored my intuition, it steered my wrong.
Thinking about the representation and perception of women in social media, do you think we’ve progressed in the last 20 years? We have progressed. From my starting point, we have progressed, but we have so much work still ahead of us. We still need to have the fire and passion to stand up and say, “let’s get this done”.
The Olimpia Questionnaire
What are your values?
Integrity and love. When there is love in your heart, the rest gets figured out.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Happiness is a by-product! That tingling feeling in your heart when you’re in the present moment and everything just feels good, that’s what I reach for.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
My son and motherhood.
Who or what was your biggest influence?
My father, because he never stopped learning and he never stopped teaching. He faced many challenges, coming here at a young age and with little education, but he was astute and became a successful business man. He developed a secret talent, a pastel artist, was self taught and read a lot.
If you could tell young women and men one thing, what would it be?
Put your heart first and your ego second.
