Mary Rizzo

Mary Rizzo is an Art Restorer, Translator, Writer and Blogger. Born in 1961 and raised in Chicago, she obtained her degrees in Art History and in Psychology at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She was employed in advertising agencies and publishing companies in Chicago, proofreading and copyediting magazines such as "Architectural Review" and "Outside Magazine". Years of freelancing as a proofreader for Encyclopaedia Britannica were formative as well.

In the late 1980’s she resumed her studies in Art Restoration in Florence, and currently works as a professional Art Restorer and professional translator in Italy. She also conducts research and work for the Fine Arts Ministry in Italy.

In 2004 she established the peacepalestine blog. Due to recent censorship attempts by Blogger, she established a mirror blog, peacepalestine blog (on Wordpress), and currently maintains both blogs.

In 2005, together with three other activist translators, Manuel Talens, Ernesto Paramo and Fausto Giudice, she founded Tlaxcala, the collective of translators for linguistic diversity and against Imperialism. The community quickly and steadily grew, and now numbers more than 125 translators on every continent.

She is the editor of several authors, especially those who are non-native English speakers. She has recently dedicated her efforts to training of translators and editors and to the translation of poetry.

In 2008, together with Haitham Sabbah and Gilad Atzmon, she founded Palestine Think Tank.

She is a member of Al-Awda Right to Return Coalition, Gaza Must Live (Italy) Gaza Vivrà, and Free Gaza.