Rita Levi Montalcini: this is how it's done

I don't know how I've never heard about Rita Levi Montalcini. I seriously wish she were my grandma or at least a great aunt. 

Rita, a Nobel Prize-winning scientist for discovering mechanisms that regulate the growth of cells and organs, and Italian senator for life turned 100 today (HAPPY BIRTHDAY). I read about her on the huffington post- an article during which she basically spews brilliance, saying "Above all, don't fear difficult moments. The best comes from them" and

"I should thank Mussolini for having declared me to be of an inferior race. This led me to the joy of working, not any more unfortunately, in university institutes but in a bedroom." 

Seriously? This woman won a NOBEL PRIZE despite a fascist regime full of anti-Semitism on top of a society unenlightened by feminism. As if the physical / political boundaries towards her education and success weren't enough, she overcame the huge societal ones as well. This woman is freakin amazing. 

Remind me why I'm supposed to look up to singers and actresses again...?