Daisy di Robilant
Italian noblewoman, fascist and feminist (died 1933)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Contessa Daisy di Robilant (died 1933) was an Italian noblewoman, fascist, feminist and campaigner for children's and women's rights. She campaigned for legislation that would protect unwed mothers and their children, women's suffrage and welfare reforms, as well as becoming a spokeswomen for the early fascist regime.
Family
Daisy di Robilant came from a wealthy Piedmontese family, but her date of birth is unknown.[1] She married General Mario Nicholas di Robilant, who commanded the Fourth Army of the Kingdom of Italy.[2] They had two daughters: Irene di Robilant,[2][3] who became a journalist; and Maria Luisa di Robilant, who married World War I flying ace Count Flaminio Avet in 1925.[4]
Activism
Di Robilant was founder and president of the National Mothers' Aid Society, which provided temporary shelter for homeless single mothers and their children.[1][5] She was also a member of the International Child Welfare Committee.[6][7] In the 1910s and 1920s, she lobbied Italian governments for legislation that would protect unwed mothers and their children[1] and wanted single women with children to not be seen as "fallen women" by society.[8]
When Benito Mussolini took power as totalitarian dictator of Italy in 1922, di Robilant became a supporter of his fascist regime. She approved of the health and welfare reforms introduced by Mussolini,[8] including the prevention of illegal abortions to increase the national birth rate.[1] She served as an spokeswoman for Fascist Italy at international events[8] and oversaw the government's experimental social programmes.[9]
Di Robilant campaigned for women's suffrage in Italy and was a leader of the Pro-Suffrage Alliance in Italy (also known as the International Woman Suffrage Alliance) from 1923.[8]
In 1924, di Robilant was visiting her daughter Irene in New York, United States, and was reportedly robbed.[2][4]
In 1931, di Robilant was appointed convener (presiding officer) of the Consiglio Nazionale delle Donne Italiane (CNDI, National Council of Italian Women), the Italian branch of the International Council of Women, by the fascist government.[6][10] She succeeded Gabriella Rasponi Spalletti.[11] While di Robilant served as leader, the CNDI worked on the causes of infant mortality and failure to thrive, the social problem of child abandonment, public welfare programmes, the provision of playgrounds and the effects of rheumatism on children.[12] The council also provided free legal advice for women.[1]
Di Robilant abandoned fascism over women's suffrage being denied under Mussolini's regime.[8]
Di Robilant died in 1933.[1]