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Legacy Builders
& Preservers
Meet the Elders:
Lois Mangione
My name is Ms. Lois and I am from the Bronx.
One thing you cannot tell just by looking at me is: That I'm a very caring person always looking to help others and trying to put a smile on people's faces.
This is important for me to tell you because: I love to see children smile when they eat my cupcakes and I know I can make a difference in someone's life.
Meet Lois
If life gives you lemons, Ms. Lois has everything ready to guide you through making the perfect lemonade. She is a lively and loving Italian-American woman whose actions back her every word. Whenever she believes in a cause, she goes above and beyond to see it through and make a change for the better. A devoted Catholic with a passion for activism, cooking, and baking for her loved ones and everyone around her, her joyful presence is a blessing to all who know her—effortlessly bringing smiles and laughter to anyone who might need it.
Younger Years
“When I look at this picture, I think of how young and free I was! This was taken in the summertime. My hair was red, I used to color it back in those days. The little girl in this picture was 5 or 6, and I was about 39 years old. I had my 3 boys and I had just moved to Morris Park. This little girl children was my son’s age. This picture reminds me of how I used to open the hydrant. I would go out about 10 or 11 in the morning and open up the hydrant with my wrench and all the children would play.”
- Lois Mangione
Her Hands, Her Story
Envision hands of reassurance, resting a gentle touch on your shoulder. Hands that guide others out of love, understanding, and camaraderie. They are speckled by the sunlight of countless summers spent with family. Decorative nails adorn each finger, an indicator of her immense dedication to any task, no matter how small. Rings and bracelets of sentimental value are worn proudly on her wrists and fingers, trembling from the endless amount of love for others held within. These are the hands of Ms. Lois, a joyful presence unlike any other.
Her hands have shaken those of politicians and students alike, valuing the contributions of everyone no matter their station. She has used them to sign papers and write letters, putting change into motion by the strength of her will. Her hands have wiped her own tears during times of grief, just as they held flowers during a sentimental photoshoot. She has served food to thousands of hungry students during school hours and baked alongside them after school. Her joy is contagious, and her hands are a means of sharing it through generous acts of service for those around her.
Ms. Lois's work is shaped by her journey and her deep roots in the community, having grown up just down the street from the school. After overcoming many hardships, she has become someone who leads with empathy and strength, building trusting relationships with her students. She is dedicated to helping teenagers feel seen, supported, and confident during an important stage of their lives, while also encouraging parents to stay involved and offer the care and understanding their teens need most.
Ms. Lois's hands are no longer only reaching back toward the lives she has already
touched — they are reaching forward toward the future she is still building. Her mission is clear: to continue guiding and uplifting young people during one of the most important and challenging stages of their lives, creating a space where students feel seen, supported, and capable of becoming their best selves. At the same time, she wants to remind parents how vital their role is, encouraging them to stand by their children with understanding, because teenagers need that support more than ever. Her legacy lives not only in the years she has given, but in the lives she continues to shape — rooted in care, patience, and a deep belief in the potential of every young person.
-Alina Bonilla & Tate Garcia Ramos
Her Identity Map
If life gives you lemons, Ms. Lois has everything ready to guide you through making the perfect lemonade. She is a lively and loving Italian-American woman whose actions back her every word. Whenever she believes in a cause, she goes above and beyond to see it through and make a change for the better. A devoted Catholic with a passion for activism, cooking, and baking for her loved ones and everyone around her, her joyful presence is a blessing to all who know her — effortlessly bringing smiles and laughter to anyone who might need it.
Ms. Lois is a wonderful example of striving for change, not only in her environment but within herself as well. She is an excellent mentor, and her impact at the Bronx High School of Visual Arts is undeniable. Her contributions have helped shape the school's community into the kind and welcoming space it is today.
-Alina Bonilla & Tate Garcia Ramos
Her
Object
On the day of show and tell, Ms. Lois brought in a golden bracelet of great sentimental value. It was a gift from her daughter's godfather, John, who had given it to her four years ago, before he passed away. Ms. Lois honors his memory by holding onto it, storing it safely at home as a keepsake. While the gold it's made of may be lavish and expensive, she's said herself that it is worth far more to her emotionally than any amount of money could replace. Even if not by blood, John was undoubtedly part of Ms. Lois's family. He got along well with everyone, playing a part in many fond memories she holds dear. Whenever they needed him, he was right there, ready to support them with open arms. Family doesn't have to solely refer to those related to you — sometimes the bonds formed by chance can grow to be just as meaningful. John was proof of that: a proud godfather and a loving member of the family that Ms. Lois still holds dear today.
On the topic of family, we asked whether Ms. Lois had plans to pass the bracelet on to anyone. Sentimental gifts can carry even greater meaning when shared, building on the emotional significance they already hold. She said she'd want to pass it on to her youngest daughter, who was very close with John — a fitting choice, given the bond they shared.
Loss of any kind is incredibly difficult to navigate. Having an object of such personal value as a reminder of those who have passed is a beautiful thing, and it was truly meaningful for Ms. Lois to be vulnerable enough to share it with us. John's memory will continue to be honored through her and all the lives she has touched with her love.
-Alina Bonilla & Tate Garcia Ramos