This document provides an overview of the Renaissance period in Italy and the role of women. It discusses the rise of the Renaissance due to growing production and populations in Europe. Italian city-states like Florence, Venice and Milan became economic and trade centers. The document then highlights some of the contributions of women like Laura Cereta and Isotta Nogarola to fields like theology, philosophy and education, as well as other female artists and writers who made important contributions to literature, poetry and painting during the Renaissance, despite many universities not accepting women at the time.