French:
Glossary:
Mail:
Women and Occupations
There were many women who were entrepreneurs in 18th-century Louisbourg. There were women who owned fishing properties, inns and taverns. For instance, Jeanne Galbarette operated a fishing operation and auberge in the Fauxbourg area. Furthermore, there were quite a few widows in Louisbourg who operated a range of businesses. Madame Grandchamp managed a waterfront tavern and inn after the death of her husband. Marie Brunet, widow of Nicolas Pugmant dit Destouches, continued to run her husband's bakery. Male storekeepers, bakers, butchers, innkeepers, and merchants had their business' in their homes. Thus, the wives were probably familiar with their husband's work. It was not uncommon for wives to continue the business alone since many acted as their husband's assistant, if not working partner. Other women established their own businesses through unique talents such as making pottery, knitting, and broom-making.
Skills such as seamstressing was another source of income. Widow Chevalier earned income through both sewing and taking in boarders. Other professions women adhered to included breadmaking and working as domestic cooks. A domestic cook was considered a good job, ranking at the higher end of the working class, compared to a job simply cleaning pots. Cooks received a higher salary than a servant. Servants engaged in housekeeping duties, serving meals, caring for children, and serving an upper class lady and her husband. Another important profession was gardening which was essential to the town's food supply. Some women washed laundry while others helped their husbands dry and turn the fish on the shores.
Women were also deeply involved in the religious life. Louisbourg's religious women were members of the Montreal-based Congregation of Notre-Dame, a non-cloistered community dedicated to educating young girls in reading, writing and needlework. Between three and six sisters lived and worked at the Louisbourg convent and had to be financially self reliant. The knowledge and skills that were gained through their education enabled them to become more self-sufficient and independent.
Upper class women also had important roles in society. An upper class woman usually had an education and knew how to read and write. She would use her literary skills to write letters of reference, promotions, etc. She might have been called upon by members of her community to facilitate movements for the less fortunate. An education provided a woman with the skills and knowledge necessary for better jobs. Education might have landed a woman a better contract and better salary. Furthermore, some educated women felt they were too good for the local men and left for France to find a husband. Although some women felt this way, others remained in the area, to apply their knowledge and skills to bettering the economy.
In conclusion, many of the entrepreneurs mentioned above were role models for young girls. However, they were, and still are, not awarded the proper recognition they deserve to this day. These women stimulated development in a male-dominated economy through hard work and support for their husbands and fathers. Many of the occupations women engaged in were important for the continuity of an orderly society. The hard work and great strength demonstrated by this "invisible" sex has been a great credit to our gender. Without women, the history of France, Canada, and 18th-century Louisbourg, remains incomplete.