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Unit 8: Distinguished Women
Lesson One
Catherine DeAngelis, M.D., M.P.H. | Science
| Young students will discover the impact that Catherine DeAngelis had upon the field of medicine. They will explore the important role a doctor plays in society and the challenges one must overcome in order to achieve the credentials and experience to fulfill this role.
Catherine DeAngelis, a woman of Italian-American descent, paved the way for not only Italian Americans but for women also in a heavily male-dominated career. She pursued her dream of becoming a doctor with conviction despite her brief time of wondering if she should join the Maryknoll Sisters Order. Her compassion for others inspired her to develop many programs that would aid in bettering the lives of those who were in desperate need of health care.
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Lesson Two
Maria Gaetana Agnesi | Mathematics
| Maria Gaetana Agnesi was truly a great influence for future Italian and Italian American women for her inner strength and perseverance to achieve her goal. She was groomed by her father from the time she was a young girl to be a scholar. This was an unusual practice during the 1700s as most females were educated only through nunneries or monasteries. Her father requested her presence during many gatherings at his house where many intellectual men tended to gather to discuss subjects such as philosophy, mathematics, and the world around them. Maria became a scholar of 3 ancient languages and mathematics, specifically in Calculus. She developed one of the earliest textbooks with the help of Ramiro Rampinelli, her mentor. She was given international recognition for her work and was offered the status of professor at the University of Bologna. So why did she give up all her hard work and take a completely different path in life? |
Lesson Three
Rita Levi-Montalcini | Science
| During a time of unrest throughout the world Rita Levi-Montalcini challenged the face of adversity and achieved great status as a world renown scientist. Rita, a half Italian and half Jewish woman defied her father’s wishes to become a typical wife and mother. She graduate medical school and began her research and experimentation with the Brussels Neurological Institute during the time of World War II. Rita’s perseverance would eventually lead her to her discovery with colleague Stanley Cohen of the Nerve Growth Factor for which she was awarded several remarkable awards including the Nobel Prize. Rita has been honored many times as a famous Italian woman who has influenced many women in the area of science.
In this lesson, students will have an opportunity to experiment in simulated nerve growth activities.
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| Accompanying file: Rita Levi-Montalcini Supplemental Worksheet |
Lesson Four
Sofonisba Anguissola | Art
Performing Arts
| We have all heard of the famous Italian Renaissance Artists such as Michelangelo and Campi. What most people do not know is that somewhere in the male dominated world of artists, was Sofonisba Anguissola. She was an Italian woman who was encouraged to achieve greatness by her father. She showed a natural talent in painting. During the Renaissance time, women were very limited in what they were allowed to do. She defied this mindset and studied under Bernardo Campi. Sofonisba pursued her love of art and further developed her talent as she traveled to Spain and held the position of court painter for King Phillip II. Her work was sent to Michelangelo for review, who remarked on her incredible talent.
In this lesson students will have an opportunity to experiment with different mediums to make a creative masterpiece of their own.
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