10/12/2026
In 1948. the Stoneham Ladies Lodge #1983 of the Order of the Sons of Italy in America (OSIA) was established. The first initiation and installation of officers was held on September 12, 1948, in the Marconi Hall on Pine Street. It was the culmination of an entire summer of hard work spearheaded by Jennie Salera. It was Jennie, at the urging of Dr. Angelo Maietta who was the Chairman of the Mass. Grand Lodge OSIA's Commission of Education and Organization, who made the idea of a Ladies Lodge in Stoneham a reality. Their first meeting was held in Jennie's home under the guidance of Dr. Maietta and Mass. Grand Venerable Anthony Julian. Madeline Lupo was elected the Lodge's first Venerable (President) and Jennie was elected Ex Venerable. They started with 25 Charter members and were the 136rh Lodge established in Massachusetts.
In 1973, having grown to 86 members, they celebrated their 25th Anniversary with a banquet at Boston's famous Blinstrub's Village.
Many of the charitable projects they participated in over the years were raising funds for an orphanage in Casino, Italy, participated in fund drive for the Don Orione Building Fund, cooking suppers for Stoneham Red Cross Bloodmobile workers, baking cakes for veterans in state hospitals and cookies for our soldiers during the Vietnam War. They also gave a yearly scholarship to a graduating Stoneham Senior.
