Gisela Bock
Gisela Bock, born in 1942 in Karlsruhe, studied history in Freiburg im Breisgau, Berlin, Paris and Rome. With publications such as Frauen in der europäischen Geschichte, Bock has been influential in shaping feminist historiography in Europe and has made important contributions to women's history and gender studies. Bock is known as an expert historian on the reproductive policies in Nazi Germany; one of her most notable works is Zwangssterilisation im Nationalsozialismus, which examined the forced sterilisation policies under Hitler's regime. In 1985 Gisela Bock became a Professor at the Department of History and Civilisation at the European University Institute in Florence. That same year she presented a paper at an international colloquium entitled “Working Women's Lives in Europe,15th-20th century,” where she said “Recent efforts to rewrite history by including not only men's but also women's experience in and of history have underlined the need for a redefinition, from the perspective of women, of many current historical and social categories. Among them was the concept of "women's work" and "working woman" which should include the historical significance and change not only of paid, but also of unpaid work. In fact, it was recently estimated that presently 90% of the unpaid work of the world is done by women and that, correspondingly, women's share of the income derived from work is by far inferior to men's. The history of working women's lives is to a large degree the history of female housework.” A circle chart visualises this statement very clearly: a textile worker’s workday starts and ends with housework, leaving her with just half an hour at the end of the day for some reading.
Upon Gisela Bock’s arrival in Florence, the European Culture Research Centre was established at the EUI with Bock as its first director. From its founding in 1987, the Centre defined women and gender relations in European culture as one of its main research areas. In January 1990 this interest was formalised with the setting up of the Interdisciplinary Working Group on Women’s Studies, affiliated with the Centre. This working group brought together doctoral researchers, research fellows and professors from across the departments of the EUI who worked on women and gender studies. Throughout the 1990s, Valeria Russo, the coordinator of the European Culture Research Centre, organised many conferences and seminars including the seminar series on ‘The Public and the Private’, and the conference ‘The Sex of Labour Law in Europe’.
Interdisciplinary Working Group Women's Studies. Seminar Abstracts academic year 1989-90. European Culture Research Centre, European University Institute. HAEU, EUI-501.
Yota Kravaritou
Yota Kravaritou (1944–2008) was a distinguished scholar and professor of labour law, renowned for her profound contributions to the field from European, national, and comparative perspectives. She graduated from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and pursued an international academic career, holding positions at prominent institutions, including the University of Strasbourg, University of Exeter, Université Libre de Bruxelles, and her alma mater in Thessaloniki. Kravaritou's scholarly work was pivotal in advancing the understanding of labour law through a gender-sensitive lens, particularly in the context of European integration and social policy. Her research addressed critical issues related to gender equality in employment, work-life balance, and the evolving role of women in the labour market. A committed advocate of Social Europe, she consistently linked legal analysis with broader questions of social justice, promoting the incorporation of gender perspectives into European labour law and policy. Her legacy extends beyond her academic publications, reflecting a deep dedication to the promotion of gender equality and social cohesion in Europe. In recognition of her influential scholarly contributions, a trilingual tribute volume, Mélanges à la mémoire de Yota Kravaritou, was published following her passing in 2008. The volume brought together former colleagues and collaborators to honour her work and to explore its enduring impact on developments in labour law, social policy, and feminist legal studies across Europe.
Between 1991 and 1999, Yota Kravaritou served as a professor in the Law Department of the European University Institute. In November 1993, she organised the conference "Feminist Approaches to Law and Cultural Diversity / Approches féministes du droit et diversités culturelles" at Villa Schifanoia, Sala Europa in Florence. Sponsored by the European Commission (DGX - Unité Information Femmes), the event brought together scholars and participants to explore feminist perspectives on the intersections between law and cultural diversity. The discussions focused on how legal frameworks address women's rights across various cultural contexts, fostering critical dialogue on the challenges and opportunities for achieving gender equality in pluralistic societies. The conference provided a platform for diverse voices to reflect on the evolving relationship between law, culture, and gender. Kravaritou's dedication to organizing such academic encounters continued in the following years. In the academic year 1994/95, she organised the European Forum on Gender and the Use of Time, alongside gender historian Olwen Hufton, which resulted in the publication of an edited volume. Over the course of the year, scholars from numerous countries and disciplines engaged in discussions on the pivotal issue of gender differences in time use at the close of the twentieth century, shedding light on the social, economic, and cultural implications of these disparities.
Feminist Approaches to Law and Cultural Diversity, organised by Prof. Yota Kravaritou (EUL, Law Department). Programme and list of participations, 26 - 27 November 1993. HAEU, EUI-1457.