Venice Approves First Female Gondolier

Venice has broken with nine centuries of tradition by granting a gondoliering license to a woman, according to the Guardian.

ANSA reports that the 23-year-old mother of two, Giorgia Boscolo, rubbished claims she would not meet the strenuous physical demands of the jobs, saying, ''childbirth is much more difficult''.

The Guardian reports that Alexandra Hai, another woman taking the course, failed to pass despite spending the last 12 years trying to earn her license.

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Comments

[ThinkTavern]

Well, this is a good step forward for women...

However, having been to Venice, the gondola rides seemed like cheesy tourist traps. Anyone thinking they're romantic can expect to shell out $100 per person (that was 5 years ago) for a short ride. In fact, much of Venice was like Disneyworld, really set up for swarms of tourists, rather than a quaint local culture.

[jamesmac10]

Sure today we see as an injustice that this job was a mens only club but don't forget that it is a cultural thing that is older than any of us. I guess that people in former times saw things differently. It begs the question "do our modern views on this trump the historical and cultural side of it?"

[Justin Case 1]

as captain jack says; " it's the 21st. century,when everything changes". i think captains' kirk and picard expressed similar sentiments.

[RJII]

didn't know venice was so backwards on sexism.

[SanTang]

Noooo, that is not the case. It is just because the poor woman will have to cut off her left breast in order to be able to row. Exactly like the Amazons had to do. No sexism in that the city is trying to prevent unnecessary mutilation.

[lianmolive]

I'm surprised H*ffo didn't title this:

"Beautiful Italian woman is approved..."

[lianmolive]

I didn't know woman couldn't do this

[davidwayneosedach]

I'll bet they sing better too!

[RachelMc]

thats coo'. i heard it stinks there, literally. but i still would love to smell for myself. its on my "to do" list of course.

[victorsays]

Wow, I didn't it was only for men in the first place. Human rights issue.

[TJCole]

Mama Mia...!

Oh Sole Mio ...!