In 1956, Piera Domenica Burzio and her grandparents left their village of Pranzalito, near Torino, Italy, to begin a new life in America. They made their journey on the last voyage of the Andrea Doria. The family settled in Detroit, where Pierette attended Wayne State University. Later she did graduate work in France. Pierette pursued her love of foreign languages by teaching high school French and Spanish in the Farmington Public Schools, near Detroit. In the course of her twenty-seven-year teaching career, she was recognized as Michigan Foreign Language Teacher of the Year (1994-95) by the Michigan Foreign Language Association. Upon her retirement, she was inducted into the Farmington Teachers’ Hall of Fame. For many years, Pierette played the violin and performed with several local symphony orchestras and chamber groups. She also has traveled extensively to foreign lands, with an annual trek to Italy, where half of her family resides. Present: Pierette is the first survivor in history to publish an all-inclusive book about one’s own shipwreck, including humanistic and scientist aspects. She is the only shipwreck survivor to write a technical report in collaboration with a naval architect about the loss of a ship. The author speaks to varied audiences about the human and scientific aspects of the Andrea Doria-Stockholm shipwreck, and her gratitude for life lessons learned from her personal experience. After publishing Alive on the Andrea Doria! The Greatest Sea Rescue in History, Pierette has been inspired to serve on several projects within the maritime world: * writing and presenting technical reports on the Andrea Doria shipwreck * writing articles on maritime safety * collaborating with marine scientists and divers in the field of shipwreck exploration and marine archeology * collaborating with maritime museums to create exhibits based on shipwreck artifacts and other memorabilia The author/survivor plans to continue the Andrea Doria legacy by speaking about her book to national audiences. She also continues to be the gate keeper of Andrea Doria survivor stories for historical documentation. Pierette also works on projects which create awareness and pride of her Italian roots: * locating people of Piemontese (northern Italian) roots in the U.S. * working with Italian cultural associations, consulates, museums, and the media In 2009, Pierette is returning to Italy to receive a global award given by her native region: the Piedmont. The Association of Piemontese in the World honors annually an emigrant living outside of Italy. The award recognizes patriotism and talent in piemontese who have contributed works or projects highlighting culture, language, literature, and the arts. Also in 2009, the New England Book Festival recognized Alive on the Andrea Doria for general excellence and the author’s passion for telling a good story; and also for the potential of the work to reach a wider audience. The award category was for biography/autobiography. Pierette is also the recipient of the most prestigious award from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences of Wayne State University. It recognizes alumni who have made contributions in their field of study to the community at large. Pierette’s research, publishing, and presentations about Alive on the Andrea Doria and L’Ultima Notte dell’Andrea Doria (Italian version), as well as other contributions to the Italian community were the main factors considered. Amazon.com is currently rating Pierette as a best-selling author for Alive on the Andrea Doria in three categories: maritime science, ships and shipwrecks, and admiralty law. Pierette is also an author in an inspirational book series called Thank God I… Stories Inspiration for Every Situation—an Amazon.com best-seller. Her story, “Thank God I Had a Catastrophe: Surviving the Andrea Doria Shipwreck”, expresses the blessings that have resulted from the ocean tragedy. Pierette has been featured on American and Italian documentaries and newsmagazine programs inspired by her books. She is interviewed frequently on radio, cable, podcasts, and for periodicals. The author reflects, “The projects I’m involved in really challenge me, but I follow my inner voice, wanting to share my life energy with the world, sending out a ripple of knowledge to those who care to listen. Somehow, I’m still an educator. I find that the act of self-giving continually empowers me to serve humanity.” N.B. Pierette is also a contributing author in Titanic Diaries, a publication in the UK. The author will soon be featured in a new book, The Italians of Detroit, by Michigan author, Bryan Perry. For additional information, contact the author via her website: www.PieretteSimpson.com Phone: 248-349-8557 Also visit: www.PieretteSimpson.com/blog
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