International Woman’s Day
IWD has been observed for over a century. The USA was the first country to dedicate a special day to women on February 28, 1909.
So here is my top 12 selection of French women who deserve recognition.
I must start with Joan of Arc and I guess you do not need any introduction to this one. I would then jump right away to the French Revolution, and having mixed feelings about Marie Antoinette, I would rather praise Olympe de Gouges, who was the first French woman to fight for women’s rights.
A few decades later, George Sand (a female writer in spite of her name) was a real free woman. Her life was passionate and she collected lovers, from Frederic Chopin to Marie Dorval among many others. Colette was also a independent spirit whose love stories were as romantic as her books.
Even though Marie Curie was as Polish as French, I think she would not mind me mentioning her as a great French woman. During world War II, Lucie Aubrac was an impressive resisting woman ; her heroic actions turned her into a strong resistance figure. She passed away in 2007.
In the entertainment sphere, I would rather pass on Brigitte Bardot who has recently supported extreme right parties in France; my preference goes to great singers such as Edith Piaf , or to actresses like Simone Signoret, Catherine Deneuve and Juliette Binoche.
Even though she despised “women in pants”, I can’t help mentioning the woman who used to live in an elegant suite at the Ritz Hotel , place Vendome in Paris : the unforgettable Mademoiselle Coco Chanel!
Finally, here is a special thought for Ingrid Betancourt, the French-Colombian politician, who has been a hostage for 8 long years in the Colombian jungle. I keep my fingers crossed for her to be released soon.
Happy Woman’s Day to all of you!
My name is Jackie Grandchamps. In 2003, I founded French Escapade, offering another way to travel in small groups of 8. "Don't be a tourist, be our guest" is the moto and spirit of my company.
Check www.frenchescapade.com
Through this blog, I will provide information about France, Belgium, California, (soon Italy) but also some stories from my guests on the tours.
Learn more about the company in the French Escapade section of this blog.
March 12th, 2008 at 8:35 am
Hey Jac, Nice line-up for IWD.
and for the us we have all the publicly disgraced wives of politicians who can’t keep their D#@$s out of other women’s (and sometimes out of other men’s) business. One of whom who is fighting for her political life, our dear Hillary. What does France think of her? Do they think we are a bit backward in our reluctance to accept a female president? Do they think we are a bit repressed in how people get fired from public office because of their bad erotic choices? Also, I hear Obama has some wider appear than in just the U.S., in fact a government leader in Africa I think(?) says he is modeling his campaign after Obama?
I wonder what scandal will rock the Obama campaign- they are sure to come up with something….
Cheers!
Lisa
March 13th, 2008 at 6:38 am
Thank you for your comment, Lisa.
In France, a lot of people would like to see Obama as the next president of the USA, because they wonder if the country is really over its racial issues. Hillary Clinton is not new and they care less for her, even though she remains their second choice because McCain is completely unknown to them.
My next post will be about that topic.
Jackie