Saint Rose Venerini

Rose Venerini, born on February 9, 1656, and died on May 7, 1728, was an Italian Roman Catholic saint who founded the first public schools for girls and young women in Italy. Her work had a profound impact, as 'Wherever a new school sprang up, in a short time a moral improvement could be noted in the youth,' according to Vatican documents published at her canonization in 2006. After Venerini's death, her confraternity of teachers was raised to a religious congregation called the Religious Teachers Venerini (or Venerini sisters). This congregation worked extensively with Italian immigrants in the United States and Switzerland, establishing the first day care centers in the Northeastern U.S., and working throughout the world.