Carole Jane Beebe Tarantelli (born July 12, 1942[1]) is an American-born former member of the Italian parliament. She was the first American citizen elected to the Italian Chamber of Deputies.[2]
Carole Jane Beebe Tarantelli | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Italian Chamber of Deputies | |
| In office 1987–1996 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 12, 1942 Elizabeth, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Political party | Independent Left |
| Alma mater | University of Michigan, Brandeis University |
Early life and education
editTarantelli was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey on July 12, 1942.[1] She graduated from Wellesley College in 1964.[2] She then attended the University of Michigan where she earned a master of arts in English literature before moving on to Brandeis University where she earned a Ph.D. in English literature.[2]
At Brandeis, she met Ezio Tarantelli, an Italian labor economist.[2] The couple married in 1970 and moved to Italy.[2] Ezio was assassinated by Red Brigade terrorists in 1985.[2] They had a son, Luca.[3]
Life in Rome
editAfter moving to Italy, Tarantelli began teaching the English language and English literature at the Sapienza University of Rome.[2] In 1979, she began training to become a psychoanalyst at the Italian Center for Analytical Psychology, and she entered private practice in 1982.[2] While in Italy, Tarantelli was active in the feminist movement.[2] She took part in a number of international seminars featuring feminist intellectuals.[2]
Following her husband's murder, she met in prison with terrorists who were questioning terrorist methods and the impact it was having on Italy.[2] She also became active as an anti-terrorism activist, appearing in print and on television.[2] Tarantelli helped found Differenza Donna, an organization dedicated to combating violence against women, in 1988.[2] She served as president from 1988 to 1995.[2]
As of 2005[update], Tarantelli continued to teach at the Sapienza, volunteered at Differenza Donna, and worked as a psychoanalyst.[2]
Chamber of Deputies
editTarantelli was elected to the Chamber of Deputies in 1987 and focused on women's issues, including legislation focusing on rape, domestic violence, abortion, and family leave.[2][1] She was the first American ever elected to parliament in Italy.[2] She was reelected twice and stepped down in 1996.[2][1] She was a member of the Independent Left parliamentary delegation.[1]
Awards
editTarantelli received the Alumnae Achievement Award from Wellesley College in 2005.[2]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e "BEEBE TARANTELLI Carole Jane". Italian Parliament. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s "Carole Beebe Tarantelli '64". Wellesley College. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
- ^ "30 anni dalla morte di Ezio Tarantelli freddato dalle BR. In un'Italia sferzata dall'inflazione" (in Italian). RAI. March 27, 2015. Retrieved April 27, 2020.