Rosa Govona (1716-1776) was an Italian philanthropist. Initially a worker, she strove to provide a livelihood for orphaned or impoverished girls aged 13 to 20.
In 1756, with government support but no endowment, she founded the Hospice delle Rosine in Turin, where 300 young orphans worked making sheets, ribbons and other fabrics for the army.
Rosa Govone then opened branches in Novara, Fossano, Savigliano, Saluces and Chieri. The motto “Thou shalt live by the work of thy hands” is inscribed on each of these establishments.