PHOTO: Who Says Mothers Can't Do It All?

September 24, 2010

Licia Ronzulli, an Italian member of the European Parliament, embraces motherhood while voting on proposals to improve women's employment rights.

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After attracting attention for bringing her daughter to work, Ronzulli decided to meet next week with like-minded parliamentarians to discuss improving lives of working moms. (Photo: Vincent Kessler/Reuters)

Bringing her newborn to the voting session she said:

It was not a political gesture. It was first of all a maternal gesture—that I wanted to stay with my daughter as much as possible, and to remind people that there are women who do not have this opportunity [to bring their children to work], that we should do something to talk about this.

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Licia&39;s daughter Vittoria gets an early introduction into politics. (Photo: Vincent Kessler/Reuters)

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Comments 5

Submitted by Palaverer on Sun, 10/03/2010 - 3:10pm
Who says fathers can't do it all? Oh, no one. No one says that. Kudos to Ms. Ronzulli for successfully balancing career and parenting, but I get really sick of seeing the press fall all over themselves in surprise that women are capable of that, while never questioning men's capabilities in the same manner.

Submitted by Worldbeing on Tue, 09/28/2010 - 3:25pm
Ahem. Italy has 73 members in the European Parliament. Ronzulli is not "Italy's member of the European Parliament" but one of many. She is also a member of the PdL, the party of Italian President Silvio Berlusconi, a man famed for his sexism and bigotry. Ronzulli may be admirable in her commitment to her child, but she also props up the government of a man who makes political appointments based on looks.

Submitted by vbarahona on Mon, 09/27/2010 - 8:34am
My sister is fortunate to be able to bring her kids to work (aside from the fact that she works at their school)...teachers are allowed to use the daycare facilities for their children and also bring in their pets i.e. dogs...I would love to work in an environment that encourages family responsibility and truly understands by accommodation needless to say a pet-friendly environment.
trinity09's picture

Submitted by trinity09 on Sun, 09/26/2010 - 7:43pm
love it!!! i just had my 1st child and am a single mom, i have been working on jobs latley where i can take my daughter to work with me i am able to feed her and tend to her needs and maintain a close bond. I think this is awsome, to be able to hold a career and still be able to be close to your child, they really grow so fast and most maturnity leave in the US anyway is bearly enough time for recovery let alone bonding.

Submitted by Bobbie Mancino on Sat, 09/25/2010 - 9:36am
I think it's great! Women can rule the world, and we should.....tolerance is key; then maybe all nations would get along without political agendas.