Maria Mazzarello was a 19th-century Italian religious sister who co-founded the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. Born in Mornese to a peasant family, she initially worked as a seamstress after surviving a severe bout of typhoid. Driven by a desire to protect and educate young women from social dangers, she partnered with Saint John Bosco to establish a female counterpart to his Salesian work. She served as the first Mother General of the congregation, dedicating her life to the spiritual and vocational training of girls.