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Camilla RaveraActivist of the Italian communist movement
Date of Birth: 18.06.1889
Country:  Italy |
Content:
- Camilla Ravera: A Pioneering Communist and Feminist
- Foundation of the Communist Party
- Underground Resistance
- Prison and Exile
- Return to Politics and Post-War Roles
- Lifetime Senator
- Legacy
Camilla Ravera: A Pioneering Communist and Feminist
Early Life and Socialist BeginningsCamilla Ravera was born to a civil servant in the Ministry of Finance. Her early experiences shaped her political beliefs. She witnessed the impact of World War I on her family, losing one brother in battle and another to chemical warfare. At age eight, she was inspired by a protest march led by Filippo Turati, a founder of the Italian Socialist Party (PSI).
Foundation of the Communist Party
In 1918, Ravera joined the PSI and became involved in the Turin group centered around the Marxist weekly "L'Ordine Nuovo," edited by Antonio Gramsci. She played a crucial role in the establishment of the Communist Party of Italy (PCI) at the PSI's Livorno Congress in 1921.
Underground Resistance
After the rise of Fascism, Ravera worked clandestinely for the PCI, strengthening its underground organization and maintaining connections with Italian communists. She was briefly acting secretary of the party in 1927, following Gramsci's arrest. As a member of the Communist International (Comintern), she met with Lenin, Stalin, and Clara Zetkin.
Prison and Exile
In 1930, Ravera was arrested and sentenced to 15 years in prison. She endured five years in solitary confinement and later spent years in internal exile. She opposed the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact in 1939, leading to her expulsion from the party.
Return to Politics and Post-War Roles
After her liberation in 1945, Ravera was reinstated in the PCI and elected to the Turin city council. She served in the Italian Parliament from 1948 to 1958 and became head of the Union of Italian Women.
Lifetime Senator
In 1982, under President Sandro Pertini, Ravera was appointed Italy's first female lifetime senator. She passed away in 1988, and her funeral was attended by prominent Italian leaders.
Legacy
Ravera is remembered as a trailblazing communist and feminist. She fought against Fascism and contributed significantly to the development of the Italian Communist Party. Her name is honored by various streets, clubs, and institutions throughout Italy.
