Westerleigh author and daughter of first responder to speak at 9/11 Day of Service
- Projekt NYC
- Aug 1
- 3 min read
By Dr. Gracelyn Santos | gsantos@siadvance.com
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Staten Islander and author Susan Fiorentino will serve as a guest speaker at the upcoming 9/11 Day of Service hosted by Projekt NYC on Saturday, Sept. 6 in New York City.
Fiorentino, a founding member of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s Young Professionals Network (YPN), will share her personal story as the daughter and niece of 9/11 first responders.
Fiorentino is the daughter of Pete Fiorentino, a first responder in the World Trade Center terrorist attacks on Sept. 11. She was 10 years old at the time.
“My father is a retired NYPD Second Grade Detective from 1 Police Plaza and I’m turning 30 later this year,” she said. “I still strongly identify with first responder families and I live every day as someone who was raised by a 9/11 first responder.”
“Working with these high school students from specialized high schools across New York City is an honor, and being asked to speak at such a meaningful event is a privilege,” Fiorentino said. “My gift for writing and storytelling allowed me to turn tragedy into a way to remember those we lost and those who are still suffering.”
In addition to her father, Fiorentino’s uncle, current FDNY firefighter Billy Fitzpatrick, responded to the terrorist attacks.
“At a young age, I saw what this day did to my family and how it spilled over into other aspects of my life,” she said. “Even if I couldn’t fully understand or process it all, I had the self-awareness to know our lives had changed forever.”
Fiorentino credits writing as her way of coping and processing those experiences.
In 2020, she fulfilled a longtime goal of becoming a published author, self-publishing her book and donating 100% of the proceeds to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
“Making that donation was one of the proudest moments of my life,” she said. “As someone whose loved ones survived, I felt it was my duty to use the talents God gave me to do some good.”
As a founding member of the Foundation’s Young Professionals Network, Fiorentino works alongside others dedicated to keeping the memory and legacy of 9/11 heroes alive.
“I’m so proud to be part of YPN and doing my part to continue to ‘do good,’” she said. “Especially growing up, living, and working in Staten Island, I feel more connected to my community than ever.
“We may share a common background shaped by tragedy, but the work we do now makes a lasting impact in our loved ones’ names.”
Fiorentino encourages all Staten Islanders to find their own way to honor the memory of 9/11 each year—whether by giving back, volunteering, or simply taking a moment of reflection.
“I am grateful to the Staten Island community for its continued support and am currently in the early stages of my next project,” she added.
To stay updated on the 9/11 Day of Service event on Sept. 6, follow @911dayofservice on Instagram.
To learn more or apply to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation Young Professionals Network, visit: Young Professionals Network – Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
Susan credits her membership in the Tunnel to Towers Young Professionals Network for helping her find motivation when she felt overwhelmed or saddened by the process, stories, and her own self-reflection.
“The process of getting to know all the contributors was an experience I will never forget,” Susan said in a previous interview with the Advance/SILive.com. “So many of the contributors either had a connection to myself, my family, or ended up connecting with one another.”
“It was amazing to see that something positive came out of these negative feelings.”
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