Born in Bergamo, Italy, 1949, degrees in foreign languages and literatures and in economics;
for some years a teacher and later a textile entrepreneur till 2000;
local councillor, leader of the Socialist Group in Bergamo, member of the Boards of Directors of the University of Bergamo in the nineties;
Former member of the European and of the Italian Parliament;
Former President of the Socialist International Women, at present Honorary President.

Currently
Founder and President of Fondazione A.J. Zaninoni, Bergamo;
Member of Fondazione Nilde Iotti Scientific Committee, Rome;
Member of FEPS Scientific Council, Bruxelles;
Member of Central-Eastern Europe Network for Gender Issues Board, Zagreb;
Member of Associazione Luca Coscioni General Council, Rome;
Member of PES Presidency, Bruxelles
Vice-President of Socialist International, London.