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Feminine League for Social Action

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The Ligue Féminine d'Action Sociale (Feminine League for Social Action), founded in 1934, was one of the first established feminist organizations in Haiti. It was founded in part in reaction to sexual violence against women during the U.S. occupation. Its mostly elite initial members included: Madeleine Sylvain, Alice Garoute, Fernande Bellegarde, Thérèse Hudicourt, Alice Téligny Mathon, Marie-Thérèse Colimon, and Marie-Thérèse Poitevien. Sylvain played an important part in contributing to La Voix des Femmes, the league's journal. The league was banned by the government two months after its founding. However, the league was reestablished when it agreed to study its goals instead of immediately implementing them. It fought for women's suffrage and complete political rights, as well as for maternity leave, equal minimum wage, rights within marriage, and protection for children. It also created spin-off organizations to support homemakers, defend women's rights at work, and protect children. The league is credited with the granting of voting rights for women in Haiti in 1957. Paulette Poujol-Oriol served as President of the league from 1997 until her death.

References

Feminine League for Social Action Wikipedia