Author, Storyteller & Founder of Indelicato Publishing
Meet Anne Pinchera
Hello, I would like to introduce myself.
Let me begin to tell you about the things that are important to me such as my family, my education, my community involvement, my interests and accomplishments; but most importantly, what I bring to the table.
I am a second generation Italian American whose family came to this country through Ellis Island. I am the first in my family to get a college education; and I am the first on both sides of my family to be awarded a Doctoral degree. My father’s family settled in Brooklyn, New York and my mother’s family in Paterson, New Jersey where I grew up. Like any other kid, I had the attention of my whole family. I didn’t get every toy ever created, but I could not say I wanted for anything. My parents took us on regular vacations, and had a very good relationship with all my cousins. When I graduated Fairleigh Dickinson, my aunt and uncle took me to Italy where I fully understood the culture I came from.
After graduation, I had some decisions to make. My family, especially my father, sheltered my existence. But now, a college grad, I really knew nothing of the world and would have to learn about it sometime. So, my family used the term ‘ran away with the circus’. Actually, I toured with children’s theatre traveling this country and met its people. My experience in community activity began with my mentor and friend, Ruth Hersberg. Through her, I was actively involved starting as a Commissioner of Recreation and working with at risk teens, then with a few dedicated individuals, worked with community organizations helping them organize and develop their own neighborhood programs. I was honored as Woman of the Year in Paterson receiving citations from City, County, State, and Congress. I participated in activities such as national community events; worked on a Clean Sweep program with neighborhood kids, tutored, and often ran after our kids who were one step out of reach of the police. I also became active in church organizations as a religious instructor. My community service includes volunteer ambulance service, critical incident debriefing, and helping my neighbors find jobs.
When I finally had enough of traveling, it was time to find a real job. I enrolled in a school for computer programming. That only peaked my interest. I wanted to know more and more. Today, computers are an important part of my life. It is the way I communicate, do research, write, and learn the technology of the 21st century. Most of what I do requires the computer. Besides the computer, I love to sew. My grandmother started me sewing when I was 5. I got pretty good at it and even was able to sew for a show on Broadway. Now, I just sew for me. I crochet and knit prayer shawls and hats for church groups, and sometimes things for family. I love to take pictures. Our cameras do some good work making it fun to create shots for background used for other projects. On top of all that, I found I like to cook!
My accomplishments have not all ended in success, and it was not for the lack of trying. The first knock down is the hardest. After that, you just get up, dust yourself off, and try again.