By Richard Dagenais
Three stamps honouring Quebec feminists were unveiled Aug. 28 by Canada Post.
The packed ceremony was held in Montreal and attended by family members, friends, and supporters, all of whom clearly admired what these unassuming giants of Canadian history accomplished in the name of justice and equality.
The stamps honour Léa Roback, Madeleine Parent, and Simonne Monet-Chartrand, women who steadfastly defied the establishment to boldly champion human and feminist rights, consequences be damned.
Family members and friends of the three honourees were visibly moved, and grateful, to see these three women immortalized with stamps.
Madeleine Parent
Monique Simard, a close friend of Madeleine Parent, explained to CSN, “I was so, so happy. I thought, this is such a big recognition, having a stamp. You know, these women were all anti-establishment, they fought the establishment like hell, all of them, especially Madeleine, and to get that recognition is overwhelming. She would have been very, very, very proud. Very proud.”
Monique explained to the audience how Parent worked vigorously to promote social justice, the rights of women, the rights of immigrants, and the rights of indigenous women, along with many other important causes.
Léa Robak
Grand-niece, Donna Mergler, a neurophysiologist, talked about how Léa Robak fought tirelessly on behalf of women and workers. She fought to organize workers at RCA Victor during the war, battled fascism, apartheid, and nuclear weapons, and worked to make sure women had the right to abortion.
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