In this work Wendy Pojmann provides a detailed historical account of the relationship and impact of immigrant women to Italy and Italian feminism over the past thirty years. Broader comparisons on European migration are made to contextualize immigration to Italy and Southern Europe more generally.
The influx of female migrants to Europe has posed challenges to established European feminist movements. In this book the author assesses the significance of female immigration to Italy and its impact on Italian feminism by analyzing the way in which immigrant and Italian women have constructed their relationships over the past 30 years. The book provides comprehensive overviews of the Italian women's movement and the history of immigration to Italy before examining the formation of immigrant women's groups, the treatment of immigrant women by Italian women's associations, and the forging of new relationships in multicultural women's organizations. Broader comparisons on European migration are made to contextualize immigration to Italy and Southern Europe more generally. By drawing from a variety of research materials such as structured interviews, participant observation and empirical data, the book contributes to an interdisciplinary approach to the study of gender, migration and contemporary Italian history. The book is of interest for scholars and postgraduates in the fields of women and gender studies, migration studies and contemporary European history.
'Wendy Pojmann's book is an excellent study on immigrant women and feminism for all those interested in the political situation of immigrant women in Italy and also for feminists around the world looking at the impact of globalization on women's movements and feminism in general. In an engagingly clear narrative Pojmann presents the complex factors determining immigrant women's lives in Italy through her highly original and deeply committed feminist analysis.' Wendy Harcourt, Editor of Development and Chair of Women in Development Europe, Rome, Italy 'Wendy Pojmann illuminates one of the most pressing issues facing European states today by calling attention to the specific conditions that women experience as immigrants and migrants in Western Europe. Her sensitive and insightful exploration of the relationship between immigrant and migrant women's associations and Italian feminist organizations demonstrates immigrant and migrant women's agency and also points to the importance of European-level initiatives to address the problems they face in the absence of national-level solutions.' Laura L. Frader, Northeastern University, USA 'Scholars have long recognized Italy's feminist movement as distinctive. Wendy Pojmann asks what happens when feminists face challenges of gender, race, class, and nation at home rather than abroad. Italian feminists have responded slowly to the agendas of the immigrant women who clean their homes and offices and care for their children and parents. That cultural boundaries can be crossed daily without producing intimacy among women is an important lesson.' Donna R. Gabaccia, University of Minnesota, USA 'Wendy Pojmann links two critical areas of scholarship--immigration and feminism--in a path breaking case study of Italy. Her work offers a model for similar studies throughout Europe, indeed throughout the world.' Nancy A. Hewitt, Rutgers University, USA '...represents a milestone in the literature on female migr
