A journey through the history of Italy for women
Italiani.it interviews four women belonging to four different generations, in order to discover, through their stories, how we were and how we became thanks to the many battles fought in the name of equal rights and equal dignity.
Not to forget the courage and commitment of "great women"
Strange as it may seem, there was a time, not so distant, when being born Donna could mean an existence of silence and submission. Also in Italy. So what better occasion than March 8 to retrace the long journey made by our mothers and grandmothers, from the post-war period to today, to the sound of conquests and acquired rights? To remember the commitment and courage of these women. And celebrate an important and not at all obvious anniversary like Women's Day. A party that is not made only of toasts and mimosas.
Anna was born in Voghera (PV) in 1931. She is 85 years old, with 4 children and 4 grandchildren. Giovanna was born in Lanzo D'Intelvi (CO) in 1945. She is 72 years old, has 2 children and 2 grandchildren. Paola was born in Milan in 1970. She is 47 years old and has 2 children. Federica was born in 1996 in Florence. She is only 21 years old.
Italiani.it interviews these four great women. What was your childhood game like?
Anna: My sister and I played with our cat. We dressed him and put him to bed like a baby.
Joanna: The games in the courtyard: bell, skipping rope, flag.
Paola: The jump of the rubber band in the yard.
Federica: The Barbies and the soft toys with which I enjoyed making up stories.
What do you remember about school?
Anna: I can't forget the fact that they made us stand with our arms behind our backs and woe to anyone who moved! I also remember walking to school. At the time, people always walked, regardless of the distances.
Joanna: The smell of the leather briefcase, later replaced by the rubber strap. The fingers stained with ink, the nibs and the wooden desks with the hole for the inkwell.
Paola: The authority of my teacher.
Federica: The very "maternal" elementary school teachers. The games in the courtyard during the interval.
At what age did you start going out alone?
Anna: At 16 at the sea. I could go dancing in the company of the children of family friends. But my father would come to pick me up by midnight.
Joanna: At 15 years old. I used to go to the cinema on Sunday afternoon with friends.
Paola: at 14 years old. I only went out in the afternoon with my friends.
Federica: Towards the age of 10. She went to have a snack with her classmates or to the oratory.
Have you ever participated in a political demonstration? And what do you remember from your first time to vote?
Anna: I demonstrated for Trieste to return to Italy. My first time to vote was at the second election open to women. I remember a great emotion.
Joanna: In my life I have participated in various events. The first time I voted it was with a lot of participation.
Paola: My first demonstration was for the fall of Pinochet. I felt her a lot since I had a Chilean classmate. Then others followed but not many because the crowd always scared me. The first time I voted I was quite confused but I wanted to have my say.
Federica: In high school I was part of the collective and therefore I often participated in demonstrations. But now I've lost interest because I'm not so sure I can make a difference. The first time I voted, I was very excited.
Have you ever felt diminished or discriminated against as a woman?
Anna: As a woman no. As the daughter of a Sicilian yes.
Joanna: It never happened to me. I was lucky.
Paola: I have never suffered blatant discriminatory acts. But I've always felt that thin thread that questions your abilities a little because you are a woman.
Federica: No but I am aware that it can happen.
What are your thoughts on divorce, cohabitation, contraception and abortion?
Anna: I am against abortion and cohabitation. Divorce I admit as well as contraception.
Joanna: These have all been milestones on the path to civil rights. But there is still a long way to go.
Paola: They are sacrosanct rights and as such must be guaranteed and protected by law.
Federica: I am in favor of everyone as they fall within the sphere of personal freedom and the right to choose.
What do you think of religion?
Anna: I am a believer and a practitioner. I went to school from the nuns and I have always hated the rites and rules they imposed on us. My faith is the fruit of many questions and answers that I have always sought.
Joanna: I don't have the gift of faith. But sometimes I still go to church and stop and think.
Paola: I received a Catholic education but I have long since stopped going to church. My children are not baptized although I believe it is important to introduce them to the Catholic religion which is part of our culture.
Federica: I am not a believer and, as a result, I don't go to church. But I received all the sacraments.
What is your opinion of today's young people and adults?
Anna: I think young people do their best in a difficult society, where violence is the order of the day. Among adults I believe that there are excellent people and others who live off consumerism and appearances.
Joanna: Young people are on average taller, more beautiful and more uninhibited than those of my generation. But I don't envy them because they face a complicated world without, perhaps, being prepared for it. Among adults, I believe that women are the most curious and the most active.
Paola: I believe that our young people are exposed to stimuli of all kinds, which are difficult to manage. Adults of my generation, on the other hand, are overprotective and often tend to justify their children too much.
Federica: My peers make excessive use of Social Networks. They are more concerned with their image than with furthering their interests. Adults, on the other hand, I see them so busy running from one side to the other that I have the impression that they no longer find the time to be happy.
What has been lost in recent years?
Anna: The personality. We have all become mostly the same and we are all doing more or less the same way. But among the young people a level of generosity and truth has been reached that was not there before because there were rules and customs linked to the class.
Joanna: Confidence in the future.
Paola: The sense of limit. With Social Networks, anyone feels authorized to say anything.
Federica: Family relationships that are now less close and more superficial. But this can also be positive because there is no longer all that attachment.
What is Women's Day for you?
Anna: Sometimes I think it's a mockery because now the woman works indoors and out, with double effort and sacrifice. A subtlety to take into account.
Joanna: I am not celebrating it because I believe that women's rights are still being trampled on.
Paola: I do not consider it a party nor do I celebrate it. But I like to explain to my children the meaning of this anniversary.
Federica: I don't feel like celebrating it because, in fact, I believe that we can't really talk about equality yet.
Italiani.it thanks Anna, Giovanna, Paola and Federica, whose names are fictional but their testimony is real. A heartfelt thanks to these great women for leaving us a precious testimony.
