Women in Canadian Literature

Robertine Barry (Françoise)
(1863-1910)
and other women journalists

Robertine Barry was the first among a handful of Quebec women journalists who wrote pseudonymously for women readers. Her first publication, a collection of short fictional pieces, Fleurs champêtres (1895), depicts with brutal honesty the harsh realities of the lives of women in rural Quebec, including abuse and exploitation. Françoise was author of her own weekly column in La Patrie (1891-1895) and was responsible for the first women's page in a Quebec newspaper, "Le Coin de Fanchette," but probably her most significant contribution was her bimonthly paper, Le Journal de Françoise (1902-1909).

An unflagging supporter of women's rights, education and literary culture, Françoise raised the ire of Quebec's clerical elite. In 1900 she helped ensure the success of Canada's contribution to the World's Fair in Paris, prepared by the National Council of Women of Canada. Her career prepared the way for women's periodical literature and inspired other women journalists including "Fadette" (Henriette Dessaules, 1860-1946) and "Madeleine" (Anne-Marie Gleason, 1875-1943) to follow her lead.

Selected Works by Françoise

-- Fleurs champêtres. -- Montréal : Desaulniers, c1895. -- 205 p.

-- Chroniques du lundi. -- Montréal : c1896?

-- Le Journal de Françoise. -- Montréal : Valiquette & Dubé, c1902-1909. -- ISSN 07024234