Translated book on P.E.I.'s Acadian women now available

A French book detailing the stories of Acadian women across P.E.I. has been translated to English, allowing more people including Acadians who don't speak or read French to learn about their ancestors, says one of the co-authors.

The book Acadian Women of Prince Edward Island: Three Centuries of Action was translated by Sally Ross.

The book was written by GeorgesArsenault and Jacinthe Laforest toshow the life of Acadian women and their contributions that helped the Island grow.

"Something that had never been done before was to talk about the women from the French regime, the first settlers on the island," said Arsenault. "I had done a bit of research on those women so that's something new, the first chapter saying you know what life was like for some of those that went through deportation."

Arsenault said he discovered the first businesswoman on the island was Marie Gauthier, who inherited the family business in 1752 after her husband passed away. In the census from that year, the woman is identified as a merchant.

A place for all

The co-author told Angela Walker on Mainstreet the book gives a place for all Acadian women from all walks of life whether they were a housewife, a mother, volunteers, teachers and more.

"There's a whole chapter on Acadian girls who became nuns."

Arsenault admitted he had many favourite testimonials in the book, including one from a woman in Wellington, P.E.I.

"She was a teacher, she raised a family of eight children so she stayed home for a few years then she went back to teach and she became pregnant."

Arsenault said in those days pregnant women were not permitted to teach but for some reason someone at the board of education decided it was time that changed.

"So she believes she was the first woman teacher on the Island to teach until she gave birth."

Arsenault said he hopes those who read the translated version will realize the contributions made by Acadian women to their communities, the province and beyond.

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