“When I first received the call from Lorenzo Ortona, I could not believe it. I was senza parole, I mean totally speechless.” As we kicked off the conversation, that’s the first thought that Angela Alioto shared with me about the honorific title as Cavaliere della Repubblica Italiana she received in June.

The ceremony was hosted by the Consul General of Italy in San Francisco, Lorenzo Ortona, and welcomed Mrs Alioto family, which today includes her children and grandchildren.