Provincial plaque commemorates Almanda Walker-Marchand and the Fédération des femmes canadiennes-françaises Français

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Ontario Heritage Trust

Sep 28, 2018, 11:45 ET

OTTAWA, Sept. 28, 2018 /CNW/ - Today, the Ontario Heritage Trust, in partnership with the Alliance des femmes de la francophonie canadienne (AFFC), unveiled a provincial plaque commemorating Almanda Walker-Marchand and the Fédération des femmes canadiennes-françaises (FFCF) for their significant contributions to Ontario's francophone community.

The provincial plaque reads as follows:

Almanda Walker-Marchand and the Fédération des femmes canadiennes-françaises







Almanda Walker-Marchand was the founder and president of the Fédération des femmes canadiennes-françaises (FFCF). Born in Quebec City in 1868, she moved with her family first to Montreal and then to Ottawa. Her last home overlooked this park. In 1914, days after the declaration of the First World War, Walker-Marchand encouraged a group of more than 400 French-Canadian women to form an organization dedicated to helping French-Canadian soldiers and their families both during and after the war. From 1918-45 they contributed to the relief of poverty, advancement of health and education and the promotion of francophone culture. During Walker-Marchand's 32 years as its president, the FFCF expanded beyond Ottawa to form many chapters in francophone communities across Canada. In 1943, Walker-Marchand was made an officer of the Order of the British Empire. She died in 1949, but the group continued and evolved to champion the political, social and economic rights of francophone women throughout Canada. Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2014, it is known today as the Alliance des femmes de la francophonie canadienne.

QUOTES

"Ontario's Franco-Ontarian heritage is a fundamental part of our province's identity. We are proud to celebrate Almanda Walker-Marchand and the extraordinary work she accomplished with the Fédération nationale des femmes canadiennes-françaises in promoting and preserving francophone culture and its enduring contributions throughout history."
– The Honourable Sylvia Jones, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport

"Among their many achievements, Almanda Walker-Marchand and the Fédération nationale des femmes canadiennes-françaises played a remarkable role in shaping Ontario's francophone community. They helped preserve francophone culture, supported the welfare of the province in times of need, and advocated for women's rights. This year, as the Trust explores the theme of 100 years of women's rights and suffrage, we are thrilled to recognize this outstanding woman and the Fédération as a whole with a provincial plaque."
– Harvey McCue, Chair, Ontario Heritage Trust

"Almanda Walker-Marchand remains a great source of inspiration for women of action in today's Canadian francophonie. Mrs. Walker-Marchand embodied a uniting force and dedication without which the movement launched by the Fédération des femmes canadiennes-françaises would never have taken on such magnitude over time. We, at the Alliance des femmes de la francophonie canadienne, are committed to continuing Mrs. Walker-Marchand's mandate by upholding the right of francophone and Acadian women to live and thrive in French."
– Lily Crist, President, Alliance des femmes de la francophonie canadienne

QUICK FACTS

  • The provincial plaque will be permanently installed at Strathcona Park in Ottawa.
  • The plaque text is presented in French and English.
  • The Ontario Heritage Trust has unveiled 58 provincial plaques commemorating Franco-Ontarian history.
  • The Trust's Provincial Plaque Program commemorates provincially significant people, places and events in Ontario's history. Since 1956, 1,284 provincial plaques have been unveiled.

LEARN MORE

The Ontario Heritage Trust is an agency of the Government of Ontario, dedicated to identifying, preserving, protecting and promoting Ontario's heritage.

The Trust gratefully acknowledges the Ontario Ministry of Francophone Affairs for its assistance and the Department of Canadian Heritage for its financial contribution to this provincial plaque through the Canada-Ontario Agreement on French-Language Services.

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SOURCE Ontario Heritage Trust

about the Ontario Heritage Trust and the Provincial Plaque Program, contact Patricia Njovu at 416-212-0952 or [email protected]

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