Girolamo Valenti (1893-1958) was an anti-fascist, anti-communist Italian-American labor leader, socialist, and editor. He was born in Valguarnera, Sicily, and came to the United States in 1911. There he worked as a labor organizer for the Amalgamated Clothing Workers in the eastern United States, as well as for the American Shoe Workers Protective Union. He was also editor of several Italian-American newspapers, including the antifascist daily Il Nuovo Mondo (1925-1931), La Stampa Libera, La Parola del Popolo (New York), and Parola dei Socialisti . He also published at least one article in mainstream, English-language publications, including a photo-essay published in Look magazine (December 17, 1940), “Italian Fascist Propaganda in the United States,” that contains photographs of Italian-American fascist rallies and gatherings. During World War II Valenti served as a consultant to the chief of the Italian desk at the Office of Strategic Services (OSS). He was a leader of the Italian Social Democratic Party and of the Circulo Matteotti, an organization whose purpose was to support left anti-communism in Italy and among Italian-Americans. He also was a radio commentator for several different Italian-language programs at stations in New York City, Philadelphia, and New Britain, Connecticut.
From the guide to the Girolamo Valenti Photographs, 1936-1945, (Tamiment Library / Wagner Archives)
Girolamo Valenti was an anti-Fascist, anti-Communist socialist, editor, and labor leader. Born April 16, 1892 in Valguarnera, Italy, he immigrated to the United States in 1911. He helped organize the Italian Socialist Federation (1913-1916), the Italian Chamber of Labor (1920-1921) and was active in the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America (1916-1917). He edited Avanti, the organ of the Italian Socialist Federation (1917-1919), La Folla (1919-1920), La Parola del Popolo, organ of the Italian Socialist Federation of the Socialist Party (ca. 1921- ca.1948), and Il Nuovo Mondo and its successor La Stampa Libera, liberal dailies (ca. 1925 – 1940s). During World War II he consulted for the OSS (Office of Strategic Services), and in the post-war years, he was an Italian-language radio commentator whose programs were broadcast in New York, several other U.S. cities, and in Italy. He wrote several pamphlets concerning socialism and participated in socialist campaigns and strikes. He was a member of the Socialist Party, and a leader of the Circolo Matteotti, an anti-fascist organization. He died in New York City on February 20, 1958.
From the guide to the Girolamo Valenti Papers, Bulk, 1930-1958, 1925-1977, (Bulk 1930-1958), (Tamiment Library / Wagner Archives)
