LAWN. Brunella Tarli was 22 years old when the Italian state recognized her and all women’s right and duty to vote. It was June 2, 1946, the referendum between the monarchy and the republic which sanctioned the victory of the latter. A fundamental historical passage for our country of which today, June 2, we celebrate its 78th anniversary.
A few days ago Brunella turned 100, but despite the difficulties related to age she has no intention of giving up going to the polls on 8 and 9 June to choose the next mayor of Prato. «Freedom is an important thing – explains Brunella – Being able to have your say at the ballot box is a right that must always be exercised. Otherwise we outsource the choices about our future to others. Those who don’t vote do evil. You young people think about it.”
An example for the new generations who take the existence of free and democratic electoral consultations for granted, for those who have decided to be part of the party of abstentionism and for women’s emancipation.
The centre-left mayoral candidate Ilaria Bugetti knows this well, having gone to visit Mrs Tarli in her home in Badie to thank her and her family for the beautiful message they will give to the city by taking part in the vote despite the logistical effort this entails. «With her example, Brunella teaches us that going to vote is a right but also a duty, democracy requires commitment and daily exercise» commented Bugetti. Brunella was born in 1924 in Cafaggio. She would have liked to study but those were not good times and at 14 she started working in warping. Strong, determined and independent, she is passionate about politics, she reads the newspaper every morning and was among the first women in the city to get a driving license. “It was just me and a nun” she said with a smile to Bugetti to whom she confessed that she also knew how to shoot a rifle. An incredible temper that the passage of time has not affected. «The possibility of voting was a great achievement for the female world – says Brunella – I remember that I was a little awkward but happy to be able to have my say. Until that day you expressing an opinion was dangerous. Dad was happy too. He thought like me. We voted for the republic. The important thing for us was to send the fascists away. And it’s still like that for me. I was so sorry when Berlinguer died, I cried. He was a great man.” When she said goodbye, Brunella wanted to express her support for Bugetti: «Many things, come on. You are a woman, you know how to keep everything together and in harmony. I vote for you.” Then, she turns to her daughters for reassurance about their participation in the vote: “Yes, mom, don’t worry, we’ll take you.” It is difficult to give up a right whose value you know perfectly well.
