40 lic courier march 2013 • www.queenscourier.com MAMMA GIANNA HONORING WOMEN So does anybody remember my article from last year? Well, if not, it was about March, the great month of women, which, unlike Mother’s Day, is actually a celebration of women. This March, I’ve made it my goal to honor great women like my dear friend Victoria Schneps-Yunis, who is the queen of all Queens women. Women like Vicky are pillars of strength that teach us to pull together and support one another on so many levels. How might I honor them? What better way to honor someone than to name a dish after them? So, if I were to name a dish after Vicky, it would have to be a Wild Venison Stew accompanied by baby rainbow carrots in a sweet citrus glaze. Another incredible woman that I am lucky to call my friend is Assuanta Howard. She’s the only woman that has ever made me feel inferior on our first meeting, and anyone who knows me is well aware that it takes a lot to intimidate me. She had an intellectual hardness that would intimidate any woman. She interviewed me for a course I was hoping to take. The minute she asked me a question, I thought I was done, but then I got to know her. Not only is she a literary genius, but she possesses a kindness that is unsurpassed by her strength. She kind of reminds me, no pun intended Assuanta, of my chocolate lava cake. So hard until it is warmed up. But as soon as it is warmed up and you slice into that chocolate lava cake, it spews a kind of sweetness that you didn’t know existed. Its decadence and its purity are unprecedented. We go to chocolate for comfort, and that is exactly what Assuanta is. Simply comfort and knowledge. My point, summed up by my menu, is that there are so many wonderful, intelligent, and of course flavorful women in this world, and I am so proud to have so many amazing female friends in my life. It is commonly known here in Long Island City we have a women’s business group, Long Island City Women in Business, that was born out of the need and want to support other businesswomen. We’re not about just being great businesswomen, moms, or spouses. We’re about supporting and lifting each other up, placing each other on shoulders when needed, and having the willingness to make compromises to help one another. This month, I honor you by bowing down to you and saying thank you for allowing me to come into your home every month and spew my sarcastic love and desire for life. And one more thing. Speaker Christine Quinn recently announced her mayoral candidacy, so I decided to share a photo from the Democratic Women’s Honoree Ceremony. I was proud to be amongst some of the most amazing women who are currently changing history. Women like Councilmember Julissa Ferreras, New York State Assemblywoman Aravella Simotas, and New York State Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan, to mention just a few, were in attendance and in addition Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer, who has always been so supportive of women in the community. So spend the rest of your month taking a super woman out to dinner, if not at my business there are twenty-five thousand other restaurants, and a quarter of which are run by women. Help move the economy. I promise next month won’t be so hormonal. Peace, shamrocks, wine, and sweet cakes, Mamma Gianna
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