Giusy Vitale

Giusy took over the command over the clan when her brothers were in prison or fugitives, despite the formal Mafia rule that excludes the participation of women in the criminal organisation.

Leonardo and Vito turned to Giusy to keep the clan moving and exchange messages while they were separate.

While not a "man of honour" in both senses – women are not allowed to enter the Mafia as made members – Giusy Vitale became the regent of the mandamento after the arrest of her brother Vito in April 1998 and managed the affairs of the Vitale clan, although she could not participate in Mafia meetings.

[2][3] Her brothers had several reasons to give her the position: their sister was already fully aware of all the secrets of the family because she had been the go-between for the members inside and outside jail.

The court attributed to Vitale a decisively different role from the one that Mafia women had performed in the past.

[3] While in jail, Giusy, mother of two, met a pentito, Alfio Garozzo, a former head of the Cursotti clan from Catania.

Vitale today lives outside Sicily under Italy's witness protection programme, and is making a new life for herself with her children.