Italy

Rosangela Belifemmine, a 60-year-old bookseller, has spent her career nurturing a love for reading, especially among children. Her passion for books led her to start her business in 1994, and since then, her library has become a space dedicated to introducing people of all ages to the joys of reading. For Rosangela, “work is more than just selling books—it’s about helping people discover the beauty of reading”, an experience she believes can be transformative.

“My work is special because it’s my mission”, says Rosangela. “I want to help people discover the beauty of reading, especially in kids and adults. There’s always time to make this discovery, which happens when someone comes across a good book”. Rosangela loves the opportunity to engage with people. She finds no age limit to the joy of learning and sharing whether it’s kids or adults. “I can talk easily with anyone, from housewives to teachers”, she says. “This ability to connect with people from all walks of life is an added value to my work”.

Rosangela is also involved in cultural associations that support women. She sees these groups as a source of strength. “Our work is supported by cultural associations, many of which are attended by women. We see women as protagonists”, she explains.

The GRASS CEILING project has also benefited her business, providing a platform to combine her love for books with a deeper connection to the land. Through the project, Rosangela and her team have organised walks in the Alta Murgia park, where participants can enjoy readings in a beautiful natural setting. “We combine the discovery of books with the knowledge of our area, and this strategy has been beneficial for our activities“, says Rosangela.

Her advice to other women starting projects is clear: “Start with determination and network. Share your dreams and challenges with other women, as this will strengthen your projects”. Rosangela’s story is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance. Through her work, she continues to inspire others to discover the beauty of reading and find strength in collaboration.

Marilena Ciocia is a dedicated advocate for environmental protection and the inclusion of people with disabilities. As the founder of an association that focuses on these areas, her work is rooted in personal experience and a deep sense of responsibility towards vulnerable communities. Marilena’s path to this vital work began with a personal necessity: Her daughter has a disability, which fuelled her desire to make a difference in the lives of others facing similar challenges. “I am very attentive to the needs of fragile people”, she explains, emphasising the compassion that drives her efforts. 

What makes her work unique is her deep connection with the people she serves. “My job is special because of the people I work with, mainly those who are fragile. They are often naive, genuine, and special”, Marilena shares. This heartfelt approach to supporting individuals with disabilities sets her apart from others in her field.

However, being a woman in this space has not been without challenges. Marilena describes one of the main difficulties she has encountered whilst working to support disabled individuals throughout their lives, especially in terms of work inclusion. “There is still no culture of acceptance for people with disabilities”, she says. This includes societal and corporate viewpoints that must evolve to embrace greater inclusion. Marilena highlights the need for more resources, including training, easier access to credit, and increased support from public institutions and organisations. She believes this cultural shift is vital for creating an environment where people with disabilities can thrive.

Despite these challenges, Marilena finds great joy in her work. “I love to experiment”, she says, excited about the opportunities the GRASS CEILING project offers. It’s giving me valuable insights into organising the future. “The project has inspired Marilena and provided the platform and support that she needs to further her mission of advocating for people with disabilities.

Although she does not have direct experience with women’s entrepreneurial aggregation, Marilena is committed to learning and growing through her involvement with initiatives like GRASS CEILING. She encourages other women starting their businesses to embrace learning and seek support. “My advice is to study and take training courses that support your idea. While it is possible to work alone, having support makes things much easier”.

Liliana Tangorra is 39 years old and serves as the vice president of the Ulixes Cooperative, an organisation with over two decades of experience in the tourism and environmental sectors. Her journey within the cooperative began eight years ago as a volunteer, later becoming an employee, and eventually taking on her current role. 

The cooperative operates in a challenging territory on the outskirts of touristic cities such as Bari, Polignano, and Monopoli. For years, Bitonto had a poor reputation, making it difficult to promote its artistic and environmental heritage. Today, Ulixes is dedicated to changing that by enhancing the area’s cultural wealth, particularly its agricultural tradition linked to extra virgin olive oil production.

Being a woman in a male-dominated institutional sector has shaped her experience. To many, I am nothing more than a ‘young girl’. We are often called ‘girls’, ‘students’, or ‘young ladies’, as if our professionalism is always in question“, she explains. However, over time, she has overcome these barriers by establishing direct relationships with municipalities and public and private institutions that have gradually come to recognise her work.

Communication has been a key factor in stabilising the cooperative and making its efforts visible. Establishing their headquarters in Bitonto’s historic centre was challenging, as the area had long been considered unsafe and avoided by locals. Although it has been revitalised today, keeping it vibrant remains a complex task. Working in a community is not always straightforward, so she considers training programmes for professionals and users essential.

What she values most about her work is the freedom it provides. “It allows me to decide what I want to do based on my experience and skills, to organise my days, and to design projects that align with our vision. Additionally, my relationship with my colleagues is fundamental. We are like a family, and that, combined with our autonomy when applying for public calls, is the best part of my job”.

Ulixes is part of Confcooperative, a network of cooperatives in the Bari region that collaborates with public and private institutions, from religious organisations to municipal authorities. For her, forming alliances is essential. “Our cooperative has been fighting in this field for 20 years, proving it is possible. Ulixes was founded by three women and one man, demonstrating that women can have a significant impact on fields such as culture and the environment”.

Miriam, a 27-year-old hen breeder is passionate about her profession. She has made her way in the poultry industry, running a free-range hen farm. With 500 hens in her care, Miriam handles everything from feeding and cleaning the chicken coop to collecting the eggs. She even makes home deliveries, a part of her job that she particularly enjoys—interacting with customers and having direct contact with them as she delivers the fresh eggs. “That is when I can provide information about the eggs or the hen breeding process. I enjoy this close contact with my customers“, Miriam explains.

Miriam’s passion for animals started early, mainly influenced by her veterinarian aunt. Although she has a degree in Business and Economics, she was constantly drawn to starting a business with animals. After graduation, Miriam and her boyfriend decided to venture into chicken farming, choosing Colle di Seta as the location for their farm.

Miriam is very open about the obstacles she faced when starting her business, including navigation of bureaucratic issues and lack of information for people new to poultry farming. Additionally, Miriam faced scepticism from others, who questioned why she would transition from studying business to working in agriculture. “It made me feel bad at first”, she admits. However, her determination and love for animals kept her going. Another challenge was building the farm’s infrastructure with the chicken coops. Miriam had to start from scratch, but she succeeded.

Miriam’s family was one of the most valuable supports throughout these difficulties. “Talking about my project with my relatives gave me strength”, she says. Their advice was helpful, and I was lucky to have their support”. Miriam advises anyone pursuing their own business to surround themselves with people who can offer support and, most importantly, to be determined. “When a project becomes real, even if it’s small at first, it makes you happy“, she reflects.

Miriam is proud of how far she has come on her own. She credits the GRASS CEILING project for offering her new opportunities and connections with other women who share similar struggles and aspirations. “It was a great opportunity for me”, she says. “I met so many women I didn’t know before, and it helped me focus on my project and explore ways to evolve”.

Miriam’s journey teaches us that even small beginnings can lead to significant achievements. “Jump into whatever you want to do”, she advises. “Even if it’s difficult at first, it’s worth it. And always talk about your ideas, thoughts, and emotions—sharing them with others is important”.

For Francesca, social work is not just a job—it’s a mission. “I’m a social worker and work for a cooperative. I manage the educational area of a therapeutic community that cares for people with drug addiction”, she explains. At 54, she has dedicated the past decade to this work and led a social farming project within the community for the last five years.

What makes her work unique is the depth of human connection: “It’s not just a material service provided in a basic way—it’s a journey”, she says. “It involves not only the person receiving care but also the professionals who support them, helping them find the motivation to break free from addiction”.

However, working in a male-dominated environment has presented challenges. “I often work with people who don’t always recognise women as an authority or someone who can offer valuable insights”, she admits. “But over time, trust and understanding break down barriers. As treatments last several months, people become more open and gradually accept the role of women within a project like social farming—an area traditionally dominated by men”.

Despite these obstacles, Francesca feels fortunate to be part of an organisation that values training and development. “The cooperative enterprise supports us by investing in worker education and actively seeking regional and European funding. We regularly apply for grants to improve our services and better support those in need. Education is crucial for our role as social workers”, she notes.

Her passion for people goes beyond her profession. “I love connecting with individuals and looking past labels and prejudices”, she says. I don’t just see the addiction or the diagnosis—I see the person. I enjoy discovering strengths in others that they may not recognise themselves”.

Francesca is also involved in several volunteer associations focused on social inclusion. “Besides the GRASS CEILING Living Lab, I participate in various voluntary organisations that support people facing difficulties. These experiences help me grow, even outside my professional work”.

For Catia Scarimbolo, theatre is not just a profession but a way of preserving identity, strengthening connections, and creating space for unheard voices. “I have a touring theatre company that also manages a municipal theatre”, she explains. In her dual role, Catia leads the organisational side of the theatre while also writing the plays for her company. Her journey into theatre stems from a passion she developed in her youth. “We were about 20 years old, doing amateur dramatics at university. We decided not to leave Puglia but to continue working here. There was nothing similar back then”.

What makes her company unique is its emphasis on the audience. “Our acting is youthful but also intergenerational. The artist must always engage with the audience in the final production, during rehearsals and in the creation process. The audience is always at the centre of our attention”, she says.

While she feels fortunate to work within a supportive team, stepping outside that environment highlights women’s challenges. “Inside our group, there is great complicity and collaboration, even regarding female matters”, she shares. “But when you compare yourself with the outside world, you see the difference—especially in southern Italy. You feel alone as a woman because male figures are predominant. Sometimes what a woman does is not considered a priority or given much attention. But despite this, we are a solid presence, and we are becoming an example for other theatre companies”.

When asked about the resources needed for improvement, she is clear: “We need more opportunities for women—training opportunities, spaces to listen to women’s needs. Sometimes we don’t even recognise our needs as individuals and as workers. Creating opportunities like our Living Lab meetings is essential because they can offer impactful experiences and good practices to share”.

Her connection with the GRASS CEILING project has reinforced her belief in staying true to her roots. “We chose to stay in our region, not to leave, because we didn’t want to give up our identity. This project helped me understand our roots better—our connection to the land and countryside. Just as we produce good oil, we can also produce good theatrical performances. Our performances have a unique identity that cannot be found elsewhere”, she explains. The experience has also sparked new collaborations: “Being here with all these female colleagues has been inspiring. Now, so many ideas and projects are taking shape”. For Catia, theatre is an ever-evolving creative process. “I love that there is never a boundary between different languages. You can find connections between an agricultural company and a theatre company, or between a theatre director and a farmer. Research always brings surprises—it’s vital for me because life works like this too. Acting, much like agricultural activities, is a ritual in itself”.

Annalisa Pellegrini is not just a producer of lavender essential oil—she is an entrepreneur with a clear vision of sustainability, independence, and personal growth. “I have been in charge of the cultivation of medicinal plants, specifically lavender, for about five or six years”, she explains. Her journey into this field of work began in 2019 when she and her brother decided to use an unused piece of family land. Seeing the resilience of lavender and its minimal water consumption, she realised its potential as an agricultural crop for the future, particularly in light of climate change.

What sets her products apart is the craftsmanship and the knowledge that comes with them. “Together with the sale of the product, we always provide information to help our customers make the most of the lavender essential oil”, she says. While many people know about lavender’s relaxing properties, Annalisa highlights its holistic benefits, noting that it contains around 130 different substances that interact with the body, mind and soul.

Like many women in business, she has had to overcome challenges, though she insists that her main obstacle was economic rather than societal. “Certainly, there was scepticism from the agricultural sector, but I haven’t encountered many difficulties other than financial ones”, she admits. Unlike many entrepreneurs, she has consciously chosen not to rely on public funding. “I never believed in public financing, so I never relied on it, even if I could. A public fund pushes people to be productive immediately. However, on the contrary, I intended to study, understand, and sometimes even fail“. This approach has allowed her to experiment and refine her business at her own pace.

At present, Annalisa is focused on rebranding. Initially centred solely on lavender, her business has expanded to include other medicinal plants, requiring a complete redesign of her brand, packaging, and marketing materials. “To do the rebranding, I need economic resources, since everything—from graphic design to packaging—requires investment”, she explains. However, she is true to her philosophy and financing this change through sales rather than seeking external support.

For Annalisa, the most fulfilling aspects of her work are the human connections and the creative process. “I like the interaction with people and the fact that they benefit from my work. It’s not just a sales project; it’s an energetic exchange“, she says. Through her business, she has formed lasting friendships and found immense satisfaction in developing new products.

Her advice to women looking to start their ventures is clear: “Firstly, I recommend them to believe in themselves and not seek external help. There will be moments of discouragement and closed doors, but we can only succeed if we are strong and self-confident. So be brave! It takes a lot of courage.”

For Letizia Cuonzo, olive trees symbolise more than just agriculture—they represent resilience. At 45, she owns Azienda Cuonzo, an organic olive farm in Palombaio, a suburb of Bitonto. Her father founded the business in the early 1970s, installing a traditional oil mill. When he passed the company on to her in 2010, she boldly decided to convert the entire farm to organic agriculture. “My business is special because of the organic nature of my product“, she says. But it’s not just about producing high-quality olive oil—Letizia has also opened her farm to tourists and schoolchildren. “I want people to see first-hand the journey of our oil, from harvesting to bottling, and to understand the stories behind the product they buy”.

Taking over a male-dominated business was not easy. “I wasn’t just a businesswoman—I was also a mother”, she explains. “Managing everything was complicated, especially since I inherited a farm that men had always run. I had to change the mindset of my employees and everyone in the company. I had to balance my work with my family life, my children’s schedules, and the demanding nature of running a business”. Bureaucracy has also been a significant challenge. “Financial support is crucial, but Italy’s slow bureaucratic system makes it difficult”, she notes. “Applying for funding often means facing endless paperwork, which slows down our progress. Regional and European public grants help, especially for young and female entrepreneurs, but the process needs to be simplified”.

Despite these challenges, Letizia is committed to staying ahead through knowledge and innovation. “I’ve implemented a state-of-the-art olive planting system to improve oil quality and make my business more competitive. Keeping up with industry advancements is key”.

Letizia is generally optimistic about EU agricultural policies but sees room for improvement. Policies should do more to support organic conversion. “It’s not ideal for small organic farms like mine to have non-organic farms nearby—we must constantly be on alert for cross-contamination. If more incentives were given to encourage organic farming, we could create larger organic areas, adding value to our work, and strengthening the reputation of Italian and Puglian olive oil”.

What Letizia loves most about her work is the human connection. “I enjoy the care that goes into every step of production—monitoring the harvest, overseeing the bottling process. But even more than that, I love sharing our story”, she says. My farm isn’t just about oil—culture and tradition. I open my business to those who want to learn, hear about my family’s journey, and recover and preserve the history of our region”.

Letizia is part of Biodistretto delle Lame, an organisation of organic farms. But the GRASS CEILING project has been of great significance to her. “Meeting seven other female innovators has been an incredible experience. I realised that the struggles I faced were not mine alone—other women had gone through the same. It was a moment of growth, inspiring us to think about future collaborations and business networks”.

Her ultimate advice? Learn from olive trees. They withstand storms, adapt, and endure. That’s what makes them extraordinary. So be like the olive tree—resilient, strong, and unwavering in the pursuit of your dreams”.