Maria Teresa Azzali was born in San Martino dell’Argine (MN) on 9th January 1902.

As soon as she came of age, she moved to Milan to dedicate herself to the anti-fascist struggle, making a decisive contribution to the Women’s Defence Groups – multi-party associations, a symbol of women’s contribution to the fight against the regime -, especially among the middle classes and within the factories.

To his work we owe the first clandestine circulation of the magazine Noi Donne, in 1944, thanks also to the supportive collaboration with Giovanna Molteni.

Once the war was over, Azzali’s commitment continued as secretary of the UDI (Italian Women’s Union) in Mantua and then in the trade union, as an exponent of the Women’s Commission of the Milan Chamber of Labour. In these capacities, she fought at length to demand better working conditions for women, crèches, breastfeeding rooms and equal pay.

She died in 1978 in Milan.

You can consult the birth certificate on the Ancestors Portal: Archivio di Stato di Mantova > Stato civile italiano (registri del Tribunale di Mantova) > San Martino dall’Argine > 1902

The original is kept at the Court of Mantua.