Throughout living history the Albanian women have faced poverty, and political and socialoppression and yet they have done more than survive; they have triumphed. They have beenoffered the bare essentials of life, bread and salt, and yet they have maintained their good-heartedness and spirit of hospitality and optimism. They have also held together their families,their communities and many sectors of the economy. How was that possible? What gave themthe strength to triumph in such adverse conditions?