Donne di Merito Award2026 Contemporary recipient - Susan Giamarvo
Susan Giamarvo is the distinguished 2026 recipient of the Dante Alighieri Society of Denver Donna di Merito award, recognized for her outstanding contributions to the promotion and preservation of Italian culture. Her dedication is especially evident through her pivotal role in establishing October as Italian Heritage Month (IHM) in 2019. Susan authored the original Governor’s proclamation for IHM, which continues to be used each October, ensuring a legacy for the celebration of Italian heritage in Colorado.
Beyond her work with IHM, Susan played an instrumental role in the nomination and induction of Mother Cabrini into the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame in 2022, honoring a key figure in Italian American history. Susan’s leadership was also evident during her presidency of the Dante Alighieri Society in 2013 and 2014.
She is a member and trustee of the Sons & Daughters of Italy, serving as events coordinator and participating in the organization’s 66th and 67th anniversary committees. Currently, Susan holds the position of Secretary with the Italian American Business Association (IABA). Her achievements in the community were further recognized when she was named Italian American of the Year at the 2019 Bravo Awards by the IABA.
Regina Lowrey Adducci is the 2025 posthumous Donna di Merito recipient. The award is in recognition of her many contributions to the Dante Alighieri Society and for her artwork, which is a lasting gift of beauty to Colorado churches and other communities.
Rosalie Caputo has been dedicated to the teaching of the Italian language and culture for most of her adult life as well as being active in numerous Italian-American cultural organizations in Colorado. She began her teaching career in 1981 in high schools in Pueblo, Colorado, teaching Italian and French at both South High School and Centennial High School until June of 2007. She served on the faculty of Colorado State University-Pueblo as an Adjunct Professor of Italian from 2007-2012. After relocating to Denver in 2012, she taught Italian at the Italian Institute of Denver in 2013 as well as teaching an after school Italian language program to elementary school children at Slavens Elementary School.
Alisa is a fifth-generation Italian-American woman. Since 1999 Alisa has been employed by History Colorado, and since May 2018 as Director of Curatorial Services and Senior Curator. Alisa was the founder of the Colorado Italian-American Preservation Association (CIAPA) in 2002. The primary goal of this organization is to develop research archives that document the history, people and traditions of the community. Alisa is the author of Italy in Colorado: Family Histories from Denver and Beyond. The book is currently in its third printing. Additionally, Alisa was the curator of The Italians of Denver exhibit at the Colorado History Museum from April 2007 to July 2008. She has also made a significant impact on our Italian community by writing several books and articles on the history and culture of the community. Alisa provides the monthly features of A Page in Time and Community Story in Andiamo!, Colorado’s Italian-American newspaper.
Roberta is Teaching Professor of Italian, the Anna Maglione-Sie Endowed Chair in Italian Culture, and Associate Chair in the Department of Languages and Literatures at the University of Denver (DU) where she teaches Italian language, literature, film and culture in the Italian Program and in the common curriculum. She co-founded and co-directed the DU/Bologna International Center for Civic Engagement in Bologna, Italy, and serves on the advisory board for the annual Maria and Tommaso Maglione Italian film award and the Showcase on Italian Cinema at the Denver Film Festival.