The Real Maria Montessori: Historian Erica Moretti on the Woman Behind the Method

Maria Montessori was a visionary—but she was also human, complicated, and far more radical than the myths suggest. In this episode, Erica Moretti, author of The Best Weapon for Peace: Maria Montessori, Education, and Children’s Rights, joins hosts Biff Maier and Nicole Coman to explore the radical roots of Montessori’s legacy.

Together, they discuss:

• Montessori’s early activism and interactions —including with Mussolini and the Vatican
• Moretti presents Montessori as a trailblazing champion for children’s rights, whose work was in harmony with the growing humanitarian and internationalist movements of the early 20th century
• Why Moretti believes Montessori never stopped being a feminist—even as her public image softened
• The challenges of writing a twelve-year biography while becoming a mother herself
• Why Montessori’s White Cross initiative, which aimed to provide caring support for children affected by war, was overlooked during its time

With academic rigor, expert insight, and personal reflection, Erica Moretti reintroduces Montessori as a bold, imperfect woman whose work on peace, education, and children’s rights remains urgent today.

Erica Moretti is associate professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology, SUNY, and a scholar of pacifism, humanitarianism, and displacement in modern Italy.

Find Erica’s book on Amazon or wherever you buy your books.