A Female Activist Elite in Italy (1890-1920)

This book explores and traces the progressive activism and radical ideas of several elite women in Italy beginning in the early 20th century. It discusses the shared political culture that shaped the thinking and the activity of these women, mainly oriented towards political philanthropy and work, seen as the cornerstone of a comprehensive redefinition of gender relations. It also discusses the connections linking them to an international network of women involved in similar political actions and economic initiatives addressing women's' interests, as well as their legacy for the next generations. With essays from a range of scholars, this book provides an interdisciplinary framework for understanding these activists and deals with methodological and historiographical issues in reconstructing women's contribution to history.

Uses case study analysis to illustrate the transmission of women's progressive ideas Traces ideas and practice through the study of archival material Provides an account of an international network of female elites active in Europe, the USA, and South Africa

Autorentext
Elena Laurenzi is Professor of the History of Political Thought in the Department of History, University of Salento (Lecce, Italy) and Visiting Professor at the University of Barcelona (UB, Spain).

Manuela Mosca is Full Professor of the History of Economic Thought in the Department of Economics, University of Salento (Lecce, Italy) and Visiting Professor at the University of Bologna (Italy).

Inhalt

1.The Political Philanthropy of the Female Elites.- Part I: A Women's Network in Early 20th Century Italy.- 2.Harriet Lathrop Dunham alias Etta de Viti de Marco.- 3.Alice Hallgarten Franchetti: A Woman Beyond Barriers.- 4.Cora Slocomb Savorgnan di Brazzà. An Artisan of Peace and Social Justice.- Part II: From Generation to Generation: A Case Study.- 5.Harriet Luthrop Dunham and Carolina de Viti de Marco: Emancipation through Lacemaking.- 6.The Second Generation: The Transmission of the Philosophy of Work and Assistance.- 7.The Present-Day Heritage.- Part III: Arts, Politics and Transmission: Methodological and Historiographical Considerations.- 8.The Signs of Art.- 9.Female Biographies and Family History. An Approach to Social and Political History.- 10.A Feminine and Feminist Story of Transmission.