Lina Merlin

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lina_Merlin

Angelina "Lina" Merlin (15 October 1887 – 16 August 1979) was an Italian politician, perhaps best known for authoring and promoting the so-called "Merlin law" which abolished state-regulated prostitution in Italy. She was also an activist and educator and took part in the Italian resistance movement.

The daughter of Giustina Poli, a teacher, and Fruttuoso Merlin, secretary for the municipality, she was born in Pozzonovo and grew up in Chioggia. In 1907, she received her diploma qualifying her to teach elementary school. In 1914, she received her qualification to teach French in middle school but preferred to continue to teach elementary school. In March 1926, because she refused to take an oath of loyalty to Italy's Fascist government, she was removed from her teaching position. In November of that year, she was sentenced to five years in prison; her sentence was reduced and she returned to Padua in November 1929. She moved to Milan in 1930; to support herself, she gave private lessons in French.

• Reference: FamilySearch Genealogy - SmartCopy: Jun 20 2024, 11:44:03 UTC