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.

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).