Meet Nina Vital Italiano, a fearless Italian American woman who made history on the racetrack in early 1900s Los Angeles. Born in Little Italy, Nina defied expectations by joining an all-women’s racing group called The Speeders. She built a bold persona—claiming noble Italian roots and racing lessons in Genoa—to draw attention to women’s place in motorsports.
But tragedy struck in Stockton when she lost control of her car, ending her life instantly. Her story, both inspiring and heartbreaking, highlights the risks women took to break barriers in a male-dominated sport.
She may be buried as Nina Tore, but history will always remember her as Nina Vital Italiano—the daring racer who challenged limits before women even had the right to vote. 🏁💔🇮🇹
Thanks for sharing her story with me Marianna Gatto @gattolosangeles
#ItalianAmerican #WomensHistory #MotorsportHistory #Trailblazer #BreakingBarriers #NinaVitagliano #italianamericanstories #california #californiaitalians #losangeles #losangelesitalians
