Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans
Women’s Division
For women looking to connect with other Italian American women looking to celebrate and maintain their culture!
Becoming a Women’s Division member of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans comes with many advantages!
- Weekly community notifications and updates
- “ITALICO” news brief
- Women’s Division monthly meeting announcements, events, and scholarship fund communication
- Exclusive invitations to JCCIA monthly meetings, networking opportunities, and special events
- Exclusive Women’s Division emails
- Building connections, friendships and a strong community with other Italian-American women
- Special discounts at participating businesses
UPCOMING EVENTS
More from the women’s Division
What’s Happening in the Community?
JCCIA Women’s Division Leadership
Rose Mary Ranallo
JCCIA Women’s Division President
womensdivision@jccia.com
Memberships
JCCIA Women’s Division
A bit about Rose Mary
Rose Mary Ranallo is the chief financial officer and manager of her family businesses, NS Builders and Arno Decorating. She is the current President of the JCCIA Women’s Division since 2008 and has served as a committee member for the Columbus Day Queen contest and The JCCIA Women’s Division Impresa Award Luncheon. Additionally, Rose Mary has also held the position of treasurer of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans Women’s Division, and has chaired the Women’s division Italian Heritage Ball and Cotillion as well as its Scholarship Benefit Dinner and Fashion Show.
For her dedication to the community, Rose Mary was awarded The Spirit of St. Daniel Camboni Award and the Adam Knoerr Community Spirit Award. Additionally, her incredible work in raising funds at the Casino Night Fundraiser for the Neoblastoma Cancer Foundation is much appreciated. Rose Mary is married to Guy and the mother of three children Natalie, Guy Anthony, and Nat, and four grandchildren.
Carmela Capriati
JCCIA Women’s Division First Vice President
Memberships
Secretary of Maria S.S. del Carmine di Noicattaro (Bari, Italy)
Member of Maria S.S. della Croce di Triggiano (Bari, Italy)
Chairman of the Scholarship and Fashion Show for over 10 years
A bit about Carmela
As the eldest of 3 sisters, Carmela grew up in a traditional Italian family. Since her early childhood, her appreciation for the rich Italian culture, language, and traditions, have made a positive impact throughout her adult life. A graduate of Loyola University of Chicago, she is a teacher of Italian, French and Business at Carmel High School in Mundelein. She has been involved as Secretary of Maria S.S. del Carmine di Noicattaro, member of the Maria S.S. della Croce di Triggiano, and honored with the prestigious Mother Cabrini Award for her dedication to community and church.
Married for over 4 decades to Pasquale (Pat) Capriati, the couple are the proud parents of Rosanna and Costantina, and proud grandparents to Alessia, Christian and Rocco J.P. Carmela is the 2nd Vice President and Chairman of the Scholarship and Fashion Show of the JCCIA Women’s Division for over 10 years. In 1987, Carmela and her sister Teresa, opened Monalisa Boutique in Evanston, and later moved to Addison, where it thrives today.
Anna Marie Castellese
JCCIA Women’s Division Second Vice President
Memberships
Member Women’s Division
A bit about Anna
Born in Italy, Anna Maria Castellese migrated to the United States at the age of ten with her parents, George and Maria Castellese, along with her brother, Joe, and sister, Concetta. Anna has been a member of the JCCIA Women’s Division for the past 6 years. Moreover, she served as Secretary of JCCIA Women’s Division for 2 years. Anna enjoys cooking and sharing her experiences with her nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and nephews. In particular, she loves keeping the spirit of her Italian heritage and traditions alive.
Theresa DeBiase
JCCIA Women’s Division Treasurer
Memberships
JCCIA Women’s Division
Italian American Executives of Transportation
Casa Italia Dancing Under the Stars Committee
Casa Italia Christmas Village Volunteer
JCCIA Women’s Division Fashion Show and Heritage Ball Committees
Former Treasurer of St Marcelline Church Women’s Club
Former Sacristan and Greeter St Marcelline Church
A bit about Theresa
After graduating from Rosary College, Theresa married her High School sweetheart Mike and has 2 children. She has devoted her life to raising her family and volunteering at her children’s schools, her Church, and the Italian Community. When Theresa is not working at her husband’s Accounting Business, she enjoys her favorite hobbies of cooking/baking Italian Cuisine, and teaching traditional family recipes to the next generation.
Sharon DePrizio
JCCIA Women’s Division Secretary
Memberships
JCCIA, Women’s Division Fashion Show Committee
Presently Secretary JCCIA, Women’s Division
A bit about Sharon
Sharon DePrizio joined the JCCIA Women’s Division as a member in 2021. Additionally, Sharon is a weekly volunteer in the JCCIA office on Mondays. After retiring from a career in healthcare marketing, Sharon says she finds her membership with the Women’s Division vital to her happiness.
Daniella Rizzi
JCCIA Women’s Division Corresponding Secretary
Memberships
JCCIA Women’s Division
Casa Italia Christmas Village Volunteer
JCCIA Women’s Division Fashion Show and Heritage Ball Committees
Pi Beta Phi former Vice President of Membership
A bit about Daniella
Daniella graduated from Bradley University in 2017 with a bachelors degree in social work. She continued her studies at Aurora University where she received a masters degree and is currently working as a social worker for Alexian Brothers. At a young age, Daniella found her passion for dance and was a dedicated member of her high school and college dance teams. Above all, Daniella has always loved spending time with family: cooking, laughing, eating together and sharing stories. Additionally, she enjoys learning Italian recipes that have been passed down in her family for generations and plans to continue these traditions.
Lilia Leonardi Juarez
JCCIA Women’s Division Advisor
Memberships
JCCIA Women’s Division Past President
Past Chairperson-Italian Heritage Ball and Cotillion
Mazzini Verdi Ladies Club-Treasurer
A bit about Lilia
Lilia Leonardi Juarez is the current Advisor to the Women’s Division of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans. Prior to this position, she was the immediate past president of the JCCIA Women’s Division and the past president of the West Suburban Division of the JCCIA. Presently she is the treasurer of the Mazzini Verdi Ladies Club. Before these positions, Lilia was a past president of the Maroons Ladies Club and an elected official on the School Board for four years in Oak Brook Illinois District 53 where her three sons attended school. In addition, Lilia became a vice president in the Mother’s Club at the University of Illinois in Champaign, since one son attended the University.
Lilia attended Providence High School, graduated from Loyola University with a Bachelor’s degree in Education, and received a Master’s degree from Governor State University in Bilingual Education. Ultimately, she retired in 2007 from the Chicago Board of Education after 42 years of service with the last 14 years as Assistant Principal at Pickard School.
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