December 12, 1983 - May 30, 2006
Angelina Malfitano was one of the Student Assistants to the Chancellor with her partner in crime, Eric Zamora. She was short, loud, and always ready for social justice. She was previously the Community Intern at the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Resource Center 04-05, Chair of the ASUCD Gender and Sexuality Commission 03-04, and did random stuff like drumming in the Cal Aggie Marching Band-uh! and checking email compulsively. Her motto, TANG! which stands for Take care of yourself, Ask why?, No regrets, and be Genuine, is painted on an upper wall of the LGBT Resource Center.
On Tuesday, May 30th at 9:13am Angelina Malfitano died in a car accident on Highway 12 near Rio Vista. She is buried in the Holy Cross Cemetery, 2200 East 18th street in Antioch, CA her home town.
There is a Guest Book set up to leave memories and notes. The UCD Women's Resource and Research Center has a webpage dedicated to Angelina.
On the second anniversary of her passing, the ASUCD Senate passed a resolution requesting that the ASUCD Conference Room be renamed to the Angelina Malfitano Conference Room. The request was approved by the Chancellor, and the room where her commission met (sometimes) now bears her name.
In late September 2005 Angelina wrote a short essay entitled "Believing in the Power of Your Impact":
"I went on an adventure this summer, to Washington, D.C., where the grown-ups and politicians play. I was chosen as an organizing fellow for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, and I was going to make the most of my experience. I remembered to pack my positive attitude, my smile, my camera, and my bottom line to facilitate growth and change in myself and others."
"Within the first week on the job, I was sent to New York City to take part in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Pride Celebrations. As I marched down the historic streets, hundreds of thousands of strangers smiled back at me as I offered them hope for equality. I handed out stickers to willing strangers, urging them to “Create Change.” Then, in the middle of my jaunt down 5th Avenue, my co-workers started shouting for me. “Hey Angelina, somebody in the crowd is asking for you.” Me? I don’t know anybody in New York City! I have never even left California! Excitedly, I raced around to the opposite side of the parade, and sure enough I found a familiar face in the sea of my beautiful community. I saw my mentor, the student leader who embraced me and showed me how to rise up on campus three years ago. The student who taught me how important it is to fight for gender, sexual, racial, ethnic, class, religious, and any and all other forms of freedom and equality. In that moment, I realized that his guidance is what eventually led me to the New York City Pride Parade on this random day in June. He had influenced me to take risks like going to Washington, D.C., or even to become the Student Assistant to the Chancellor. And here we were, together, experiencing the progress of the community, our lives, and our connection."
"Experiences like these are genuine and reaffirming. They remind me that we are all connected. I believe we all have the capacity to impact each other. Just like the stickers I distributed at the parade, as individuals we must accept the responsibility and the POSSIBILITY to create change. Then, as a community, as UC Davis, as students, the impact is far-reaching and tangible. Join me in believing in the power of your impact as a mentor and a teacher and an individual in this world."
Memorial Fund
"The Angelina Rose Malfitano Memorial Scholarship Fund has been established to honor young people who personify the values and goals that Angelina found such enthusiasm for."
Checks should be made payable to The Angelina Rose Malfitano Memorial Scholarship Fund. You can contact Mr. Percy McGee with questions at 510-208-3805.
Checks should be mailed to: Attn: Percy McGee Merrill Lynch 1111 Broadway, 22nd Floor Oakland, CA 94607
All notes accompanying payments will be delivered to Angelina's family.
Angelina Malfitano Room
On at 4pm June 4th, 2009 the ASUCD Conference Room was be renamed the Angelina Malfitano Conference Room.
Angelina Malfitano Memorial Collection
On December 7th, 2012 signage was applied above the library in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Resource Center dedicating it to Angelina Malfitano.
2006-02-08 11:37:06 Ms Maliftano rocks! She is all about TANG! —JamesSchwab
2006-05-31 01:03:09 Can anyone PLEASE let us know what happened? —AdamGerber
2006-05-31 02:26:45 I've been told that she was driving back to Davis from Antioch this morning...people speculate that she fell asleep behind the wheel, because she swerved into oncoming traffic and was instantly killed by the head-on collision. I'll have further details in the morning when my reporter calls the highway patrol... Another note: There's a memorial being held for Angelina today (Wednesday) at 10 a.m. in the LGBTRC. —BrianChen
2006-05-31 09:32:40 I only had the privilege of talking with her once, for her project on the history of queer activism and community at UCD, but it was a wonderful conversation, and I know all about her work for this community. What a terrible, tragic loss. My heart is with everyone who knew her and loved her. —BethFreeman
2006-05-31 09:41:37 Here's a link to a news story I found. What a tragic loss. My heart goes out to her family and close friends. She will be missed. http://cbs5.com/localwire/localfsnews/bcn/2006/05/31/n/HeadlineNews/CRASH-ID/resources_bcn_html —ComoPrada
2006-05-31 10:30:40 I wish to offer my deepest sympathy and condolences. Angelina was truly a remarkable person. — DavidAmbrose
2006-05-31 15:39:57 For everybody who knew her and will miss her, join the facebook group. It's already at 163 members, as she touched so many people's lives. —BrentLaabs
2006-06-01 03:14:19 In case any of you didn't read the article, information on Angelina's memorial services is as follows: Visitation will be held June 5 beginning at 2 p.m. at Higgins Funeral Home, located at 1310 A St. in Antioch. A rosary will be held at 7 p.m. on June 5 at The Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Antioch at 1313 A St., where her funeral will also be held on June 6 at 1 p.m. —BrianChen
2006-06-01 14:08:26 On Wednesday June 7th at 12pm the UC Davis campus will host a memorial service for Angelina in the ARC Ballroom. —JamesSchwab
2006-06-01 15:58:07 Thursday June 1 is the last senate meeting of the quarter. The senate will be hearing an urgent resolution in her honor at roughly 6pm. Stop by the third floor if you're interested in seeing it as it is voted upon or if you'd like to say anything for the record. —ThomasLloyd
2006-06-01 17:01:22 Aggie article —VivianPham
2006-07-25 17:33:40 Angelina was a saint. I believe her biggest miracle happened at her funeral, where, in a Catholic church, an LGBT rainbow flag flew during the ceremony. I have never seen that before and probably never will again, but it's testimony to her work in the queer community. —JamesSchwab
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