95-year-old Maria Pulsone, a former master seamstress, was reunited with a statue of herself that had been in the lobby of a suit company in the Garment District for nearly 40 years. The life-sized bronze statue, which captures Pulsone sewing with a look of concentration, will soon be displayed at the Italian American Museum. Pulsone’s granddaughter found the statue in a warehouse in Scranton, Pennsylvania, after a search to locate it.
In 1984, Pulsone’s boss at the Saint Laurie firm, Andy Kozinn, asked her to pose for the statue to create an experience for customers at the building on East 20th Street. Pulsone was chosen for her skill as a seamstress and her friendly demeanor. The statue became a beloved part of the building, with workers greeting it as they entered and left. It remained on display until 2018 when the company moved and the statue was taken by an antique company.
Pulsone’s granddaughter, Jennifer Pulsone Heppner, tracked down the statue after her husband encouraged her to find it. After a quick Google search, they located the statue in Scranton and purchased it for $600. Heppner was thrilled to find the statue of her grandmother, who had immigrated to the US in 1955 from Italy. Pulsone represents the hardworking immigrant generation that came to the US and achieved the American Dream through dedication and hard work.
Pulsone, who now resides in Flushing, Queens, worked as a seamstress for 4 years in Rochester and 45 years in New York City. She expressed her enjoyment of her work and the beauty of creating garments. A museum exhibit featuring the statue will open at the Italian American Museum, showcasing Pulsone’s story and the history of Italian immigrants in New York. Dr. Joseph Scelsa, the museum’s president, praised Pulsone’s story as representative of the many Italian immigrants who contributed to the city’s history.
Lou LaCarbonara, the president of the Italian American Labor Council, commended Pulsone as a dedicated immigrant who used her skills to contribute to the American experience. He highlighted the importance of Italian immigrants in the garment industry, who played a significant role in shaping the city’s fashion and style. Pulsone’s statue represents the hardworking and dedicated immigrant community that helped build and shape New York City, embodying the values of perseverance and commitment to success.
