GENDERFASCISM · Reconfiguration of Catholic women’s league militancy in France and in Italy (1919-1939)

Reconfiguration of Catholic women's league militancy in France and in Italy (1919-1939)

Having completed during my PhD a comparative study of two important mass organisations of conservative Catholic women in early 20th century France and Italy, I turned my attention to the vital question of the reconfiguration of French and Italian catholic women's militancy during the twenties and the thirties. This new project was inspired by a recent discovery made in the pontifical archives and the Pope Pius XI funds (recently open to scholars) while completing the research for my doctoral thesis. By examining individual political trajectories in the context of collective political stances, this research allowed me to reflect more deeply on processes of politicisation at a moment of broader democratisation in French and Italian politics (1902-19 in Italy, 1902-33 in France). The project was mainly based on the editing and spoiling the archival material from the pontifical archives of the Vatican. Since 2006, scholars have been authorised to consult the documentation of the Pope Pius XIth pontificate (1922-1939). The documents shed a fresh light on this crucial period for the European and global history. For several months, the regular contact with empirical material allowed me to collect data and to reconsider the role played by the Church and by Catholic women in public policies and agenda setting. This material also provided a broader understanding of women's agency within the leagues and the transnational dimension of their activism. Eventually, I strengthen the links with Italian and European scholars and institutions by attending seminars, conferences and symposiums. During the first period of my project, I realised the objectives mentioned in the scientific part of the grant agreement. Mainly, I could see the major part of the archival material. During this period, I could present the first results of my researches in seminar and conferences. For instance, I was in charge of the seminar 'Gender history' at the Ecole des hautes études en sciences sociales (Paris). The session about 'Gender and fascism' held in March 2010, led to a rich discussion with Prof. Kevin Passmore and L.L. Downs. We underlined the links and the tensions between Catholic organisations and the Croix de Feu. During the second period of the project, I achieved all the objectives for the two tasks I planned to realise during the second half of my project. I took part to the organisation of an international conference at the University of Lyon 2 / Ecole normale supérieure. I also organised an international conference with the University of Lille 3 (France) and University of Paris 13 on 'Women's international activism' that will be followed by a publication of a book. This international conference was an opportunity to openly discuss with scholars from the United States and Europe about militancy and activism during the first half of the century. I submitted the first draft of a manuscript of my book 'La Citoyenneté avant le vote', to Belin publisher (Paris, France). This book is based on my PhD dissertation, the results based on the archival material I could see during my stay in Italy and on the readings and discussions I had during my stay at the IUE. I was able to publish and submit articles and book chapters. I achieved all the objectives of the project. I could also extend my researches and publish more articles and book chapters thanks to the new collaborations and opportunities provided by the IUE and the Marie Curie Action. Moreover, after this project, I was able to benefit from my experience of research management and to set up a research team on gender, religion and political equality in the Centre Emile Durkheim (Bordeaux, France). As a result, currently, as a tenure-researcher, I am leading an ANR project on gender, religion and local government.

Текст от CORDIS, на английски · Данни: CORDIS, © Европейски съюз