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STAMFORD, Conn. — Long before Maureen Pavia was the first lady of Stamford, she was a dancer. Now, the duties of a mayoral wife's life fill her days, but she's still spreading her love for the performing arts.
“I've been dancing since I was 4 years old,” Pavia said, sipping on a cup of coffee inside the Parkway Diner. The waitstaff knew her the second she walked in and happily took her order of an omelet to go before she settled in for an interview.
It had been a hard few days for Pavia and her husband, Mayor Michael Pavia. The tragic Christmas fire that claimed five lives and made national news was only a few days past. She said her husband was preparing for a news conference. As Stamford's first family, they can't isolate themselves from the events in their community. Stamford's tragedies become theirs.
But Maureen Pavia wasn't sitting in the diner to talk about fires and civil duty. She was there to talk about her passions: art and dance. They have been integral parts of her life as long as she can remember. In her career, she has danced professionally, choreographed and taught.
In December 2010, Pavia launched Dancing Classrooms in Stamford. The program, founded in New York by Pierre Dulaine and Yvonne Marceau, aims to raise the confidence and social skills of fifth-graders through dance. Pavia made Stamford the first town in Connecticut to host the program.
Stamford, however, won't be the last. Pavia said with sparkling eyes and a big smile that she is expanding the program to six Bridgeport schools.
Pavia's love for the arts has blossomed from career to charity as well. In place of a formal ball for her husband's inauguration, Pavia set about founding Stamford Gives Back. In July, it acquired status as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Through Stamford Gives Back, Pavia raises funds to support scholarships and arts programs as well as organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club. She also often works with the Stamford Center for the Arts.
Supporting the arts will likely always remain high on Pavia's list of priorities. Not just because of her personal love and connection, but also because she recognizes the constant threat arts education is under.
“The performing arts are always one of the first things to go in the schools when there are cutbacks, and that saddens me. So, if there is an opportunity to help keep them running, I'm going to take it,” said Pavia. As the interview wound down, she let the waitstaff know she was about ready for her omelete and smiled.
She again mentioned how difficult the last few days had been on her husband. The love and concern could be read in her eyes. Somewhere across town, Mayor Michael Pavia was getting ready for his news conference.
