Rose Basile Green

Dr. Rose Basile Green (December 19, 1914 – April 30, 2003) was an American scholar, poet, and educator. Among her publications were a study of Italian-American writers, titled The Italian American Novel: A Document of the Interaction of Two Cultures, and several volumes of poetry, specializing in the sonnet form. She was also a founder of Cabrini College in Radnor, Pennsylvania, and the first chair of its English department.

Early life and education

Rose Basile was born on December 19, 1914,

Career

After earning her B.A., she spent a year in Torrington, Connecticut, working for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers' Project. Afterwards she remained in the area for six more years, teaching English and Italian at Torrington High School and dramatics in the night school program. From 1942 to 1943, she was registrar and associate professor of English at the University of Tampa. From 1943 to 1953, she wrote radio scripts for the National Broadcasting Company. She taught English at Temple University from 1953 to 1957. After retiring from teaching in 1970, she continued to publish poetry and scholarly works. In 1975, she published The Italian American Novel: A Document of the Interaction of Two Cultures, which examines the work of 70 Italian-American writers. It was the first major scholarly work of its kind, and laid the groundwork for analysis of recurring themes in Italian-American literature, such as the "isolated immigrant" and the "alien marginalized by the established society." Her sonnet collection, Primo Vino (1975), also celebrates Italian Americans, focusing on the family, the home, community life, outstanding Italian Americans, and residents of "Little Italy."

Personal life and legacy

She married Raymond S. Green, a broadcasting executive, on June 20, 1942.

Memberships She was a member of the following organizations, among others:

Humanities Award, Nationalities Service Center (Philadelphia), 1975, for The Italian-American Novel Woman of the Year Award, Sons of Italy of America, 1975, for The Italian-American Novel and Primo Vino City of Philadelphia Citation, 1975 Agnes C. Brothers Pathway of Life Award, National Federation of State Poetry Societies, 1976 National Award in Literature, Daughters of the American Revolution, 1976, for 76 for Philadelphia National Award in Literature, Association of Italian American Women ("Amita"), 1976 National Award from National Italian American Foundation, 1978, for Woman, the Second Coming Appointment as Distinguished Daughter of Pennsylvania from state of Pennsylvania, 1978, for Woman, the Second Coming Ursula Laurus Citation, College of New Rochelle Alumnae, 1980 Humanitarian Award, Chapel of Four Chaplains (Philadelphia), 1980 National Award of Merit, Philadelphia Art Alliance, 1981 Graduates Award for Distinguished Achievement, Columbia University, 1986 Cavalier of Republic of Italy Ph.D., Gwynedd Mercy College and Cabrini College

Works The Evolution of Italian American Fiction (1962) The Cabrinian Philosophy of Education (1967) The Violet and the Flame (1968) To Reason Why (1971) Primo Vino (1974) The Italian American Novel: A Document of the Interaction of Two Cultures (1974) Seventy-six for Philadelphia (1975) Woman: The Second Coming (1977) Songs of Ourselves (1982) The Pennsylvania People (1984) Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini (1984), with Saverio de Maria Challenger Countdown (1988) Five Hundred Years of America, 1492-1992 (1992) The Distaff Side: Great Women of American History (1995)