Honoring Luisa DeLauro on her 100th Birthday
Longest Serving New Haven Alderwoman Centennial Celebration
NEW HAVEN, CT - Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3) today honored her mother, Luisa DeLauro, as she celebrated her 100th birthday. Born December 24, 1913, Luisa was the third child born to Cesare and Luisa Canestri. She grew up in the heart of New Haven’s Italian American community and spent most of her childhood in her mother’s pastry shop, Canestri’s. Raised in New Haven’s Wooster Square, she dedicated a lifetime to the neighborhood she called home and the people who lived there.
Luisa married Ted DeLauro in November of 1938 and together they continued their community involvement. She and Ted, fondly referred to as the “Mayor of Wooster Square,” often gave great assistance to immigrants who found it difficult to overcome language barriers and the complexities of American life.
“I have vivid memories of my parents, sitting at the kitchen table with neighbors and new families to the neighborhood.” DeLauro recalled. “My mother and father would do all that they could to help anyone who was in need.”
Luisa was elected to the New Haven Board of Alderman in 1965, a position which she held for 35 years. To date, she is the longest serving member of the Board of Alderman in the City’s history. While serving on the legislative body, Luisa dedicated much of her time to issues involving seniors, the working poor, and, of course, Wooster Square. While serving as vice-chairman of the New Haven Historic District Study Commission, she was instrumental in designating Wooster Square as New Haven’s first Historic District. She was also one of the founders of the neighborhood’s annual Cherry Blossom Festival.
“My mother has been my greatest inspiration. She taught me the most valuable of lessons.” DeLauro said. “My mother knew the importance of helping people - - she understood that politics was an avenue for change.”
DeLauro continued “My mother was no stranger to hard work. When I was growing up, she worked in a sweatshop, sewing shirt collars for pennies. Every day she would make me come by after school to see the horrible, cramped conditions. It is something I will never forget. The lesson was clear: work hard. Make something of yourself. Get a good education. I am so proud to celebrate this milestone with her and wish her the happiest of birthdays.”
Family and friends will celebrate Luisa DeLauro’s 100th birthday on Friday, December 27th at a gathering held at Consiglio’s Restaurant, the former location of Canestri’s Pastry Shop where Luisa spent so much of her childhood.