Centenarian Profile
Ginerva Paone
Age: 103
Born: May 14, 1909
From: Iserna,
Italy
Italy
In the last 100 years, what invention had the most impact on your life? Why?
For me it was the sewing machine because during the '20 I had the opportunity to follow a government sponsored sewing course that allowed me to acquire the expertise to work. Later my father bought me and my sister a Singer sewing machine and I could earn some money. However, since I always refused to make Mussolini or fascist regime artifacts, I could only rely on the work that many italian emigrants to America could offer me from overseas.
What was your favorite decade? Why?
1925-35. Because I was young and could enjoy dancing and parties in my native village before the World War II almost destroyed it. My village was located on the Gustav line where the nazists tried to stop US and Allied armies.
What advice would you give to a high school graduate today?
To study and to take a college degree. I always regret that I couldn't complete my studies and did not take any school degree.
What is the most important lesson you learned in your life?
It is that the personal roots of an individual are essential. I was born in a small rural village in the mountains of South Italy, but later moved to a closer town and to Rome, where I lived most of my life. However, I cannot forget that that my roots are in that small village and in those mountains. I always think of my home village and regret that I cannot live there.
What leader in the past century impressed you the most? Why?
For me he was Palmiro Togliatti, the leader of Italian Comunist Party (PCI) after World War II, because he was able to give trust in democracy and hope in the future to many poor people.
