THE GIRL WHO SAID NO
On Tuesday, September 29, .at 6 PM, at the IAHF, we will have a special presentation by Bay Area author, Natalie Galli regarding her book about Franca Viola. Franca , when a young lady , was raped when she spurned her suitor. From a medieval tradition, if the girl marries the assaulter , Italian law of the time (up until the 1970's) drops the rape charges. Franca refused to marry her rapist in spite of much pressure to do so. This courageous statement by Franca, made world wide attention in the 1960's. For Natalie , as a young Sicilian American, growing up in San Francisco, it also made a profound impression when she read the small "filler" article in the San Francisco Chronicle. She never forgot the story, and when Natalie had the opportunity to visit relatives in Sicily, she took it as a personal quest to meet Franca.
Natalie's efforts to meet Franca is the framework of this engaging book. Trying to contact Franca was no easy task. She gave no interviews after the high profile court trials which rocked Sicilian and Southern Italian traditional society. Instead, Franca, married her fiancée and raised her family in privacy in her home town. The trial itself was covered by the international press in many parts of the world, and galvanized public opinion, including the arrest and conviction of her abductors and legislative changes in Italian penal code law. Her marriage was also blessed by the Pope!
The article that captured this incident for Natalie Galli in the SF Chronicle , back in the Spring 1966, was the nucleus for the book and her own private journal of exploration, which she entitled The Girl Who Said No. It went to print in 2019..
The story itself is compelling , likewise is Natalie's journey and her search for Franca. The book is very well crafted . It reads exceedingly well, and there are so many images, both of the Bay Area, and Southern Italy, that one can relate to. All this action takes place within my lifetime. I, as i am sure are many others. were unaware of the entire incident. I discovered this story and book at the Museo Gift Store last year, in San Francisco year, and ultimately met Natalie and her family at a Museo event.
This amazing story needs to be shared, and for that reason we are so fortunate , and excited to present both the book and the author at a special event at the IAHF. Keeping Franca's tale of courage is an ongoing obligation. Less you think this is a tale back in history, this time me reading the SF Chronicle, in August 2, 2026 , there was an article about California State Assemblymember Ash Karlra, proposing legislation to secure restraining orders in California to prevent abusive suiters from victimizing a perspective partner, stemming from an incident in San Bernadino County! This special presentation will also be co-sponsored by the Sicilian Sisterhood, of Santa Clara County.
An evening with Natalie Galli, Tuesday September 29, .at 6 PM, at the IAHF-425 North 4th St. San Jose Ca. 951227 There will be a $10 donation to cover refreshment cost, Please RSVP at 408 293 7112. There will be a book signing and purchase at the event. THE GIRL WHO SAID NO, By Natalie Galli, Travelers Tale Publisher, Palo Alto 2019. Also check out some of Natalie's other books on line, She is a very engaging author.
Ken Borelli