This article focuses on the role of women in family owned businesses, with regard to control and management positions, and the relationship with professionalization. This study refers to two main theoretical streams: the studies about the role of women in family owned businesses, and the researches on the professionalization of SMEs and family firms. A survey of 198 small and medium enterprises in Italy was conducted, of which 166 were family enterprises. The role of women in the professionalization of Italian family firms was investigated.