The editors of the anthology Italian Women in Chicago: Madonna mia! Qui debbo vivere? (You mean I have to live HERE?) will present a panel discussion of their book on Wednesday, October 29, at Elmhurst College.

Italian Women in Chicago is a lively collection of biographies, essays and stories highlighting the roles Italian women have played in the history of Chicago and of Italian immigration. Nearly fifty authors contributed to this anthology, which is divided into two sections: “Chicago Italian Women in History” and “Chicago Italian Women in Essays, Fiction and Poetry.”

The editors of the book who will be speaking at Elmhurst are:

• Dominic Candeloro, curator of Casa Italia Library and adjunct professor of Italian/American Studies at Loyola University Chicago
• Kathy Catrambone, a journalist and the executive director of The University Village Association
• Gloria Nardini, a longtime Elmhurst resident, a retired professor, author of Che Bella Figura!The Power of Performance in an Italian Ladies’ Club in Chicago, and a former York High School English teacher

Italian Women in Chicago will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 29, in the Founders Lounge of the Frick Center. A book-signing will follow the lecture. Admission is $10 for the general public and free for Elmhurst College students, faculty, staff and alumni. Tickets are available online or at the door. For more information, call (630) 617-3390.