The Coumbus Day Celebration Committee selected Consul of Italy in Detroit Allegra Baistrocchi as 2025 Woman of the Year. A week of festivities culminated in a banquet on October 12 at the Italian American Cultural Center.
Since her arrival in Detroit on September 1, 2021, Consul Baistrocchi has been indefatigable in her quest to bring all aspects of Italian culture to Detroit, and likewise bring Detroit to Italy.
She has created numerous opportunities for business networking between Italian businesses and companies in the states of Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and Tennessee over which the Consulate of Italy has jurisdiction. Consul Baistrocchi requested to be assigned to Detroit because she recognized that Detroit had so much potential and was captivated by the prospects it presented and has in fact made the most of these opportunities and created many more.
In their presentation, the committee affirmed “In the adventurous spirit of Christopher Columbus, you optimized your role as our Italian Consul by raising awareness to the outstanding contributions of Italians in music, art, design, business, science, and technology. The vision, dedication and leadership during your tenure has energized the community! Grazie infinite.”
It was bittersweet, as Consul Baistrocchi has come to the conclusion of her assignment in Detroit and will be returning to Rome in November. She will be greatly missed by the community she leaves behind.
At she concluded her remarks, Consul Baistrocchi told the audience “As I close this chapter, I do so with immense pride and gratitude. Detroit and all of you will always have a special place in my heart. “Per aspera ad astra — through hardship to the stars. Grazie di cuore to everyone who made these years unforgettable.”
