Newspaper Publishers, Editors, Managers and Owners: Women Break the Glass Ceiling

The history of journalism in the Mauricie is not limited to Le Nouvelliste. In fact, while digging into the historical sources, I was surprised to discover that the region’s first newspaper was published in 1817.

Françoise Godet-Smet (middle) at the site of her future sculpture school

Historical analysis of marriage law in Quebec published in Le Dynamique de la Mauricie

Le Nouvelliste did play an especially important role in hiring the first women journalists. And those who failed to find a position at this particular newspaper were often hired at publications founded by its former collaborators.

Here’s one such inspiring story. In 1964, Gérard Marchand decided to quit his job at Le Nouvelliste so he could start another newspaper: Le Dynamique de la Mauricie. Through sheer determination, he managed to turn it into a profitable business. Meanwhile, in April 1965, he hired Lise Léveillée as a secretary. But she wanted to be more than just a secretary. She had a more dynamic role in mind.

Despite her title, Léveillée ended up performing every imaginable task at the newspaper: advertising, press conferences, finance, etc. Everything aside from writing, that is.

Following Mr. Marchand’s death on July 23, 1978, Léveillée became the first woman to own a newspaper in the Mauricie. At just 29 years of age, she took on all management duties at the weekly publication. And she remained in charge until the newspaper closed its doors in 1992.

Interview with Lise Léveillé

A transcript of the interview is available.

A transcript of the interview is available.

A transcript of the interview is available.

A transcript of the interview is available.

In the Mauricie, various women have supported print journalism as administrators, advertising professionals and writers. Those who left their mark include Marguerite Duval-Périgny, Françoise Duval, Pauline Lavigne, France Boucher, Doris-V. Hamel, Claire Gervais-Roy, Simone G. Murray, Michelle Roy, Louise Rivard-Plouffe, Ginette Gagnon, Louise Plante, Linda Corbo, Lucie Carrier, Anne Lamotte and Louise Hamel.

Though far from exhaustive, this list includes some of the female figures I worked alongside during my career. It provides a glimpse of the sheer diversity of women working in regional journalism.

First-ever women’s day at the Festival Western de Saint-Tite (1986)

And like Lise Léveillé, several other women were able to carve out a role for themselves in the world of print journalism that didn’t involve working as a columnist, freelancer or reporter. Instead, they carved out administrative roles at their respective newspapers. For example, Amélie St-Pierre started working at L’Hebdo du Saint-Maurice in 2006. She went on to serve as Advertising Director and Regional Editor for Icimédias in the Mauricie and Nicolet-Bécancour areas. In addition to an enduring entrepreneurial spirit, her career highlights how professional opportunities in the media sector are not limited to the field of journalism.

Profile of Amélie St-Pierre