Lucia Goes To School

In early 20th century Italy, girls were expected to stay home to learn all of the domestic chores: baking bread, making pasta from scratch, sewing and crocheting, and etc., while the boys were required to go to school to get an education. Because of this, Lucia was never able to read or write, especially not in English.

When she was in her 50's, she decided that she wanted to become a U.S. citizen. At that time, Brockton High School had adult education classes for immigrants that would prepare them for the citizenship test by teaching them some United States history and how to read and write in English.

Lucia and 2 of her girlfriends, Mary Gothage and Rose Pinetti, enrolled in these classes and would walk from Lawrence Street over to BHS to attend school. Helen remembers that Lucia particularly admired George Washington and was fascinated with his life.

One day, Lucia returned home from school and sat Helen, Rose, and Louie down at the table. She took out a pen and paper and very slowly wrote out: "Lucia D'Amarino" for the first time in her life—very proud of her accomplishment.

After that, she continued to take classes until the instructors felt she was ready to take her citizenship test. Happily, when the day came, she took the test and passed, joining Eduardo as a citizen of the United States of America. 

Lucia D'Amarino (Angelo-Cola)