Women and Extremism: The Untold History

Women have long played a complex and often-overlooked role in extremist movements, from the radical ideologies of the past to the forces shaping the present. In this thought-provoking discussion, researcher Anca Diana Axinia will explore the contradictions, motivations, and impact of women in radical movements. From a deep dive into the role of women in Romania’s interwar fascist movement to insights into broader patterns of female extremism across history, this conference followed by a conversation, moderated by RCI director Dorian Branea, will challenge assumptions and expose the unsettling intersections of gender, power, and ideology.

Anca Diana Axinia received her PhD in history from the European University Institute in Florence in 2022. Her dissertation, Women and Politics in the Romanian Legionary Movement, is the first systematic study of women’s participation and gender relations in the Romanian Legionary Movement. In 2023-2024, she was a fellow at the New Europe College in Bucharest,…