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 |
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]
Tarantelli 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]
After 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]
Tarantelli 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]
Tarantelli received the Alumnae Achievement Award from Wellesley College in 2005. [2]