Romanian Ethnic Organizations in the United States Heritage, Legacy and Identity in the Early 20th Century

This monograph brings into focus the presence and voices of Romanian-Americans in the United States by examining the role of voluntary associations in shaping identity and community life during the first four decades of the 20th century. It offers a comprehensive analysis of Romanian ethnic organizations in their diverse forms—fraternal and mutual aid societies, political clubs, cultural associations, ladies’ auxiliaries and youth groups—and describes them as crucibles of the Romanian immigrant experience in the New World. The book argues that ethnic associations served as effervescent spaces of cultural interaction, which enabled members to affirm both their loyalty to Romania and their commitment to American life. Grounded in original research based on primary sources from libraries and historical societies—many of which have not been previously examined in scholarly work—this book will be of interest to scholars in the areas of Ethnic Studies, Diaspora Studies, Cultural Studies and Anthropology.

Chapter 1 The Journey Begins: A Roadmap to the Themes Ahead.- Chapter 2 Mapping Concepts Ethnicity Identity Memory and Heritage.- Chapter 3A Possible Chronology of the Romanian Immigration to the United States.- Chapter 4 Voices Across Borders A Brief Overview of Scholarly Literature on Romanian Americans.- Chapter 5 New Horizons The Early Romanian-American Experience.- Chapter 6 Ethnic Associations: Concepts and Perspectives.- Chapter 7 The Romanian Associative Experience in the United States A Case-Study Approach.- Chapter 8 Tradition and Transformation: Institutional Growth and Internal Struggles.- Chapter 9 Political Engagements: Fighting for the Romanian Cause Abroad.- Chapter 10 From Transylvania to Pennsylvania: Romanian Heritage Celebration in America instead of Conclusions.

Raluca-Nicoleta Rogoveanu, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor at Ovidius University, Constan?a, Romania. She teaches and publishes in the areas of American Literature and Culture and Diaspora Studies. She was a Fulbright Researcher at the University of California, Los Angeles (2013), and a Balch Fellow at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania (2017). In 2025, she received a Grant-in-Aid Award from the Immigration History Research Center Archives at the University of Minnesota.