Being ‘D.I.V.E. ” is not a matter of definition, but of belonging. In Washington, D.C., this word, an acronym for Italian Women Living Abroad, encapsulates a world of connections, volunteerism and shared identity. An association that for more than two decades has been a staple for the Italian and pro-Italian women's community in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area, transforming distance from Italy into a living, concrete presence.
Formally established in 2001, The D.I.V.E.. is a non-profit socio-cultural association based entirely on volunteerism. Since 2012, it has been recognized by the’Italian Embassy in Washington, D.C., with which it actively collaborates together with other Italian and Italian-American entities. The members are women who speak Italian and reside between Washington D.C., Maryland and Virginia, united by a desire to get to know each other, support each other and keep Italian language, culture and traditions alive.
A story born out of friendship
The history of D.I.V.E. has its roots in the second half of the 1990s, when four Italian friends who had moved to the United States began meeting to celebrate holidays together, speak Italian and raise their children in contact with the language and culture of origin. It was a simple, almost spontaneous need that over the years attracted more and more women, until it turned into a full-fledged association.
From that first informal nucleus, Le D.I.V.E. quickly became a welcoming place for those arriving from Italy, but also a space for relationships and growth for those already living in the United States for some time. A meeting point capable of offering human support even before cultural support, in a context where feeling part of a community makes all the difference.
Monica Longo's vision
Today at the helm of the association is Monica Longo, president of D.I.V.E., an established professional and central figure in the life of the association. Her style is one of balance, listening and the ability to create authentic connections. Monica doesn't just coordinate: she builds relationships, puts different people and realities in dialogue, and manages to turn every initiative into a moment of shared participation.
With grace and determination, she leads a Board of Directors committed to pursuing a clear mission: to foster the integration of Italian women and their families, promote friendship among Italian-speaking women, spread Italian culture, and create civic responsibility and charitable initiatives. Leadership that seeks not visibility, but concrete and lasting results.
Between tradition and social commitment
Among the most anticipated events of the year is the’Italian Holiday Market, a true feather in the association's cap. An event that combines handicrafts, gastronomy and Italian culture, also becoming an occasion for solidarity: a part of the proceeds goes to Italian language teaching projects and to the support of local organizations committed against domestic violence. A perfect example of how D.I.V.E. manages to combine identity and social responsibility.
Alongside the Market, another symbolic moment is the Christmas dinner, a tradition that brings members together each year in an atmosphere of warmth and conviviality. Dishes prepared together, laughter, stories and shared memories: it is not just a celebration, but a ritual that restores the most authentic sense of being a community, far from home but deeply rooted in one's origins.
A model that multiplies
The value of the D.I.V.E.'s in Washington has inspired the birth of similar realities in other American cities as well, such as San Francisco and Los Angeles, confirming an associational model capable of adapting to different contexts while keeping its soul intact.
D.I.V.E. are not just an association: they are a place of the soul for those living abroad who do not want to give up their roots. An example of how Italian identity, when shared and networked, can become strength, culture and solidarity. And above all, a testimony of what it means to be Italian women in the world, together.
Watch the reel of the Christmas Party!
