Rita Levi-Montalcini

The other day, reading the 17 January edition of Grazia Italy, we read an article by Umberto Veronesi, which recalled Rita Levi-Montalcini, Italian scientist disappeared recently.

First of all, for who didn't know her, who was she??

Rita Levi-Montalcini born in Turin April 22 1909 was an Italian neurologist who, together with colleague Stanley Cohen, received the 1986 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their discovery of nerve growth factor (NGF). From 2001 until her death ( December 30 2012) she also served in the Italian Senate as a Senator for Life.

This article has inspired us because she was a woman who was able to dare and succeed in a world dominated by men, wars (she had to move a lot during the Second World War as a Jew) and left great lessons that can inspire us to give more.

Veronesi said that the optimism of reason is one of the most extraordinary way to live the life, and it was she who taught it. She was one of more conformist women and she arrived to say that the racial laws of 1938 made his fortune because they forced her to build a laboratory in the bedroom. She started  from there her research that led to the Nobel Prize. 

She said that knowing how close our eyes to the difficulties, to believe that any negative event can bring in ourself the possibility of a reversal, can lead us away. It's this the optimism of the reason, but you need dedication. Montalcini modestly confessed to having mediocre intelligence and that her only merits were commitment and optimism.

Another of his teaching is that we should never overlook the courage to not accept anything passively, think with your head, be critical and, if necessary, rebel.

RIP

Marci&Cami