For the past 30 years, I have researched women’s lives with enthusiasm — their ways of knowing, of doing and of being. My interest in women’s issues began when I was 22 years old. One of my first summer jobs during my undergraduate studies was at a women’s shelter. It was an eye-opening and life-changing experience for me, which set the tone for my future as a woman, as a writer and as a human being.
Once I completed my bachelor’s degree in psychology, I taught career planning and life skills programs for women re-entering the work force in the mid-80s. I was also a founding member of an Action Group Against Violence Towards Women and a board member for a women’s shelter. From 1993 to 2005, I worked in the field of second language training and language proficiency evaluation in French and in English.
Writing has been a constant in my life since my twenties. For the past three decades, I have been publishing articles about issues of concern to women — always with the intent of supporting their quest for self-knowledge and gain a wider appreciation of their multiple roles and contributions to society.
In the 1990s, I obtained my master’s degree in education with a focus on adult development and women’s learning. I continued to publish articles on women’s issues while hosting television segments on women’s adult development.
In 1999, I published a book on women’s ways of learning in academe (Les femmes en milieu universitaire : liberté d’apprendre autrement) with the University of Ottawa Press . In 2000, I was awarded the Laura Jamieson prize given by the Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women. This prize, offered in both official languages in alternate years, recognizes the best non-fiction feminist book by a Canadian author in women’s issues.
Since 2008, I have immersed myself in women’s history, first through a blog entitled “Women in Ottawa: Mentors and Milestones” (2008-2012), and now through a blog exploring French Canadian Northern Ontario women’s history. Since 2012, Les femmes de la route 11 : les Elles du Nord has been presenting a rich tapestry of stories detailing the historical contributions and pioneer courage of our founding mothers. I also showcase profiles of their daughters’ and granddaughters — leaders in their own right reflecting different eras of Franco-Ontarian history. French Canadian Northern Ontario women from the past 150 years find a voice on my blog. They are educators, politicians, athletes, poets, stewards of the French language and cultural ambassadors. They are also mothers, musicians, volunteers, nuns, novelists and artists.
My second research interest is health and nutrition — applied nutrition studies, articles, television segments, a blog and a book in French are bits and pieces of my contribution in that field over the last 15 years.
Her ongoing, current research, writings, etc:
Blog: Profiles of women who have contributed to the history of Ottawa, Canada
Women in Ottawa : Mentors and Milestones (318 articles, 2008-2012)
http://womeninottawa.blogspot.ca
Book: Women's ways of learning (see cover above)
Les femmes en milieu universitaire : liberté d'apprendre autrement, Presses de l'Université d'Ottawa (1999), winner of the 2000 Laura Jamieson prize awarded by the Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women (Best Feminist Book written in French in Canada for that year).
Blog: French Canadian Northern Ontario Women's history
Les femmes de la route 11 : les Elles du Nord (since 2012, 185 articles)
http://femmesdelaroute11.wordpress.com
Facebook page: LES ELLES DU NORD
Dedicated to FC women's history, Northern Ontario history, celebration of "la francophonie" around the world, Canadian Women's history
http://www.facebook.com/pages/LES-ELLES-DU-NORD/315242878575082
Book: Building better health (see cover above)
Santé vous bien : un jour à la fois (2012)
http://www.unebonnesante.ca
Blog: Building better health
Une bonne santé (2012, 100 articles)
http://unebonnesante.wordpress.com/