Eugenia Sisinni Fitchen
2001 Florida Folk Heritage Award
Eugenia “Jeanie” Sisinni Fitchen (Cocoa) is a singer and songwriter. Born and raised in Orlando, Fitchen’s mother hoped she would train for opera, but Fitchen became interested in the singer-songwriter movement. She first performed on the Old Marble Stage at the Florida Folk Festival at the age of fifteen in 1966, and continues to be a favorite performer there and in many other venues. Fitchen was recognized for her support of folklife programs, as well as her musical abilities. Her advocacy for Florida folk cultural expression is expressed in numerous educational presentations that preserve knowledge of Florida folklife and foster an appreciation for the state’s traditional culture among school children.