Lina Abate, Tuscan pioneer in women's football and transport, dies

Lina Abate, a prominent figure in Tuscany, has passed away following a long illness. Abate was recognized as a pioneer in two distinct fields: public transportation and women's sports.

In the professional sector, she was one of the first women to drive buses in Florence during the 1980s, helping to break gender barriers in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Her legacy is noted by Autolinee Toscane, where female drivers now represent approximately 13.56% of the workforce.

In the sporting world, Abate was a foundational figure for women's football and futsal in the Tuscany region. She served for many years on the staff of the regional representative teams for the Lega Nazionale Dilettanti, contributing to the development of both 11-a-side and 5-a-side women's football.