Restaurant owner Teresa Bruno’s worldwide journey to her own business
As a child, Teresa Bruno’s father told her she was not allowed to go to high school and had to join a nunnery instead. How did she fight through that oppression to become a restaurateur?
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When I was young girl in Calabria, Italy, my father forbade me to go to high school.
I grew up in a time and place that suppressed women, but I always fought against it.
My father presented me with two options.
Either I was to become a dressmaker, or I was to join the nuns and learn embroidery at a convent.
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Eventually I found peace with my life at the nunnery.
However, one fateful night out during a religious festival I met Franco.
My soon-to-be husband was the first male in my life to lift me up.
After expressing my frustration at not being able to attend school past grade 5, and having my employment opportunities limited, Franco realised that to love me meant to treat me as an equal. So, we became business partners.
Being treated as an equal meant I was able to lift myself, recognise my passion and understand the capabilities I had.
Franco and I sold our first restaurant in 1980 and after returning to Italy, opening another restaurant and having our third child, we returned to Melbourne and opened our beloved Zia Teresa in 1985.
Today, as I continue on with the journey I started with my late husband, he is still my mentor. In our short time together, we taught our daughters that they are entitled to the same rights and opportunities as all humans and taught our son about the importance of respect towards women.
It is so unfortunate that many women today still don’t have the support I did.
I believe change is possible and I am proud to be joining Oxfam to raise funds to help alleviate poverty and empower women around the world.
Teresa Bruno has run Zia Teresa for 34 years. The Lygon St restaurant is holding a dinner on Thursday supporting Oxfam Australia as part of Melbourne Food and Wine Festival.