ABSTRACT
In late 1934, only 18 months after its foundation, the FNFMR was transferred wholesale into the PNF itself, becoming a special section of the Fasci Femminili. The provincial and local sections were dissolved and the Provincial Secretaries instructed to report directly to their local Fascio Femminile for orders. In this new context the organization grew rapidly and by the fall of fascism its membership numbered nearly three million. The take-over may have been facilitated by the fact that Terruzzi was temporarily out of the way, having set off in September 1934 to visit her sick sister in Brazil, a trip which involved a lengthy sea voyage.1
