Irma Marchiani

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Over one quarter of the participants in the Italian Resistance during World War II were women.  Their bravery, courage, and sacrifices paved the way for involvement and recognition as peers in Italy’s economic and political future.

In 1943, the Resistance strengthened in Italy as many Italian men chose to join the Resistance rather than capitulate to the German policy requiring the Italian military to be incorporated into the German army or be rounded up and incarcerated for not joining.  Women also joined the Partisans but their involvement in the Resistance was truly a voluntary one since they did not face these same consequences if they chose not to participate in the war effort.