Mary Joanna Treglia (October 7, 1897 – October 10, 1959) was an American social worker who was the director of a community house in Sioux City, Iowa. The community house was founded in 1921 to serve the city's immigrant population. Treglia was once a member of the Californian Bloomer Girls baseball team prior to returning to Sioux City and dedicating her life as an employee and later as the director of the community house.
Personal life and career
Treglia was born on October 7, 1897, to two immigrants from Italy, her father Tony and her mother Rose. Her father died when Treglia was a child and her mother, who sold confections at a store in Sioux City, died in 1945. The store was owned by both of Treglia's parents when her father was alive. She was known for her athleticism when she attended Central High School in Sioux City, and she later became a part of an all-girl California baseball team named the Bloomer Girls. Her baseball career helped her gain the opportunity to appear in films as an extra. The community house was meant to teach immigrants how to become an American citizen and learn English. Treglia became an employee at the community house in 1921 and she became the director in 1926. She helped immigrants in the community house for close to 40 years with her casework, helping them become American citizens, receive a fair education, and instituting proper flood control. Treglia introduced the immigrants to the American Association of University Women and the Junior League. When the school board or city would ignore their problems, Treglia helped the immigrants by working with Sioux City leaders.
When the community house became condemned in 1932, the board of directors wanted to build a new one. However, the facility was not demolished due to a new location not being found. Sioux City later built a new location on an old schoolground, providing free services and materials. Treglia helped gather needed funds by receiving donations from people and businesses.