Yolette Lévy
{{Short description|Haitian-born Canadian politician and activist (1938–2018)}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Unreliable sources|date=October 2024}}
{{Primary sources|date=October 2024}}
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{{Infobox person
| name = Yolette Lévy
| image = Yolette Lévy.jpg
| alt =
| caption = (1996)
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1938|5|15}}
| birth_place = Haiti
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2018|12|6|1938|5|15}}
| death_place = Val-d'Or, Quebec, Canada
| occupation = {{hlist|pharmacist|politician|unionist|feminist|activist}}
| known_for = Municipal councilor, Val-d'Or
| spouse = Jean-Emmanuel Alfred
| children = 3
| awards = * 2005: Alexina-Croteau Prize
- 2007: Personality Award from the Val-d’Or Chamber of Commerce
- 2007: Prix Charlie Biddle
- 2017: Lieutenant Governor's Medal
}}
Yolette Lévy (May 15, 1938 – December 6, 2018) was a Haitian-born Canadian politician and activist from Val-d'Or, in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Quebec. She was for many years a municipal councilor in Val-d'Or. Originally a pharmacist, she also worked as a feminist activist, trade unionist, and defender of the rights of seniors.
Early life
Yolette Lévy was born May 15, 1938, in Haiti. She hailed from Cap-Haïtien.{{cite news |title=La Valdorienne Yolette Lévy n'est plus |trans-title=The Valdorienne Yolette Lévy is no more |url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1140414/valdor-yolette-levy-deces-deuil-implication-femmes-equite-politique-municipale-syndicalisme |access-date=28 February 2023 |work=Radio-Canada.ca |date=7 December 2018 |language=fr-ca}}
Career
Levy worked as a pharmacist in Haiti,{{cite news |last1=Mathieu |first1=Annie |title=D'Haïti à l'Abitibi |trans-title=From Haiti to Abitibi |url=https://gazettedesfemmes.ca/1609/dhaiti-a-labitibi/ |access-date=28 February 2023 |work=gazettedesfemmes.ca |date=1 March 2009 |language=fr}} before fleeing Duvalierism, arriving in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo), and teaching for four years in the service of UNESCO. She and her husband, Jean-Emmanuel Alfred, then submitted their applications for teaching positions in Val-d'Or.{{cite news |last1=Gervais |first1=Lisa-Marie |title=Une vie harmonieuse en Abitibi |trans-title=A harmonious life in Abitibi |url=https://www.ledevoir.com/societe/514513/yolette-levy-une-vie-harmonieuse |access-date=28 February 2023 |work=Le Devoir |date=2 December 2017 |language=fr}} She arrived in Val-d'Or in 1969, to work as a chemistry teacher at the Le Carrefour high school;{{cite news |author= |title=Val-d'Or pleure Yolette Lévy |trans-title=Val-d'Or mourns Yolette Lévy |url=https://www.lecitoyenvaldoramos.com/article/2018/12/07/val-d-or-pleure-yolette-levy |access-date=28 February 2023 |work=www.lecitoyenvaldoramos.com |language=fr}} her husband taught literature.{{cite news |last1=Sarrasin |first1=Hélène |title=Je ne suis pas celle que vous croyez |trans-title=I'm not who you think I am |url=https://gazettedesfemmes.ca/2846/je-ne-suis-pas-celle-que-vous-croyez/ |website=gazettedesfemmes.ca |publisher=Gazette des femmes |access-date=28 September 2024 |language=fr |date=1 March 2005}} Upon her arrival she and her husband were among the 12 Haitians in the city. {{Cite web |last=Gervais |first=Lisa-Marie |date=2017-12-02 |title=Immigration en Abitibi: les ressources manquent pour accueillir les nouveaux arrivants |url=https://www.ledevoir.com/societe/514514/immigration-en-abitibi-les-ressources-manquent-pour-accueillir-les-nouveaux-arrivants? |access-date=2024-09-29 |website=Le Devoir |language=fr}}
She became involved in the teachers' union in 1972. On April 8, 1982, she was elected president of the {{lang|fr|Syndicat des travailleurs de l'enseignement du Nord-Ouest québécois|italics=yes}} (Union of Education Workers of Northwestern Quebec) (STENOQ){{Cite book |title=Histoire de l'Abitibi-Témiscamingue |date=1996 |publisher=Institut Québécois de Recherche sur la Culture |isbn=978-2-89224-251-5 |editor-last=Vincent |editor-first=Odette |edition=2. tirage |series=Les régions du Québec |location=Québec}} and held this position until June 1984.{{cite web |title=Présidences |trans-title=Presidencies |url=https://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/index2.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fseuat.ca%2Ffileadmin%2Fuser_upload%2Fsyndicats%2Fz79%2FPr%25C3%25A9sidences_syndicat_2017.pdf%2Findex.html#federation=archive.wikiwix.com&tab=url |website=Fseuat.ca |via=archive.wikiwix.com |access-date=28 February 2023 |language=fr}} In June 1984, she was elected to the executive council of the
{{lang|fr|Commission des enseignants des commissions scolaires|italics=yes}} (School Board Teachers' Commission) of the Centrale des syndicats du Québec.{{cite web |title=Yolette Lévy ou l'engagement communautaire |trans-title=Yolette Lévy or community engagement |publisher=L'Indice bohémien |url=https://indicebohemien.org/2020/02/yolette-levy-ou-l-engagement-communautaire/ |website=indicebohemien.org |date=25 February 2020 |access-date=28 February 2023 |language=fr-FR}} During her union career, she defended several issues concerning women, such as maternity leave, the right to abortion, child care services, and led a major push for pay equity. She also led workshops on the involvement of women in politics.
Lévy was one of the founders of {{lang|fr|La Mosaïque|italics=yes}}, the intercultural association for welcoming and integrating immigrants in Abitibi-Témiscamingue. With several others, she filed the organization's letters patent on November 23, 1990, with the Quebec government. The association received its official recognition on February 13, 1991.{{cite web |title=À propos de nous. La Mosaïque, association interculturelle d'accueil et d'intégration des personnes immigrantes de l'Abitibi-Témiscamingue. |trans-title=About us. La Mosaïque, an intercultural association for the reception and integration of immigrants from Abitibi-Témiscamingue. |url=https://mosaique-at.ca/a-propos/ |publisher=La Mosaïque Interculturelle |access-date=28 February 2023 |language=fr-FR |date=16 November 2020}}
From 1996 to 2009, Lévy sat as a municipal councilor in Val-d'Or. She was re-elected in the municipal elections of 2000, 2001 and 2005,{{cite web |author=Ville de Val-d'Or |title=Décès de Madame Yolette Lévy |trans-title=Death of Mrs. Yolette Lévy |url=https://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/index2.php?url=https%3A%2F%2Fville.valdor.qc.ca%2Fuploads%2F1_La%2520ville%2FInformations%2FPublications%2FContact%2FVVD-CRE870-Contactfevrier2019_E3.pdf%2Findex.html#federation=archive.wikiwix.com&tab=url |website=Le Contact |via=archive.wikiwix.com |access-date=28 February 2023 |page=2 |language=fr |date=February 2019}} but lost the 2009 elections.{{cite news |title=Fernand Trahan réélu sans surprise |trans-title=Fernand Trahan re-elected without surprise |url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/452247/val-dor-trahan-elu |access-date=28 February 2023 |work=Radio-Canada.ca |date=2 November 2009 |language=fr-ca}} During her mandates, she contributed to the revision of the family policy, the implementation of the Taxibus public transport service, defending community organizations, and supporting cultural development.
Lévy served as vice-president of the board of directors of the Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT) from 1998 to 2005.{{cite web |language=fr |author=UQAT |title=Élection à la présidence et à la vice-présidence du conseil d'administration de l'Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue pour l'année 2003-2004 |trans-title=Election to the presidency and vice-presidency of the board of directors of the Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue for the year 2003-2004 |url=http://www.uquebec.ca/resolutions/uqat/resolutions/CA/2003/218-CA-2141.pdf |date=18 August 2003}}{{cite web |language=fr |author=Conseil d'administration UQAT |title=Élection à la présidence et à la vice-présidence du conseil d'administration de l'Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue pour l'année 1999-2000 |trans-title=Election to the presidency and vice-presidency of the board of directors of the Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue for the year 1999-2000 |url=http://www.uquebec.ca/resolutions/uqat/resolutions/CA/1999/187_CA_1751.pdf |date=16 August 1999 }}{{cite web |language=fr |author=Conseil d'administration UQAT |title=Élection à la présidence et à la vice-présidence du conseil d'administration de l'Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue pour l'année 2000-2001 |trans-title=Election to the presidency and vice-presidency of the board of directors of the Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue for the year 2000-2001 |url=http://www.uquebec.ca/resolutions/uqat/resolutions/CA/2000/194_CA_1842.pdf |date=21 August 2000}}{{cite web |language=fr |author=Conseil d'administration UQAT |title=Élection à la présidence et à la vice-présidence du conseil d'administration de l'Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue pour l'année 2002-2003 |trans-title=Election to the presidency and vice-presidency of the board of directors of the Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue for the year 2002-2003 |url=http://www.uquebec.ca/resolutions/uqat/resolutions/CA/2002/210-CA-2040.pdf |date=19 August 2002 }}{{cite web |language=fr |author=Conseil d'administration UQAT |title=Élection à la présidence et à la vice-présidence du conseil d'administration de l'Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue pour l'année 2004-2005 |trans-title=Election to the presidency and vice-presidency of the board of directors of the Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue for the year 2004-2005 |url=http://www.uquebec.ca/resolutions/uqat/resolutions/CA/2004/227-CA-2253.pdf |date=23 August 2004}}{{cite web |language=fr |author=Conseil d'administration UQAT |title=Élection à la présidence et à la vice-présidence du conseil d'administration de l'Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue pour l'année 2005-2006 |trans-title=Election to the presidency and vice-presidency of the board of directors of the Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue for the year 2005-2006 |url=http://www.uquebec.ca/resolutions/uqat/resolutions/CA/2005/235-CA-2374.pdf |date=29 August 2005 }}
In 2015, she became president of the section of the {{lang|fr|Association québécoise de défense des droits des retraités et préretraités}} (AQDR) (Quebec Association for the Defense of the Rights of Retired and Pre-Retired Persons) in Val-d’Or.{{cite web |last1=Lynch |first1=Pierre |title=Décès de Yolette Levy - Présidente de l'AQDR Val-D'Or |trans-title=Death of Yolette Levy - President of the AQDR Val-D'Or |url=https://www.aqdr.org/deces-de-yolette-levy-presidente-de-laqdr-val-dor/ |website=AQDR |access-date=28 February 2023 |language=fr-FR |date=7 December 2018}}
Personal life
Death and legacy
Yolette Lévy died December 6, 2018, at the Maison de la source Gabriel, a hospice in Val-d'Or, Quebec, Canada.{{cite web |title=Avis de décès - Lévy, Yolette |trans-title=Obituary - Lévy, Yolette |url=https://www.residence-funeraire.coop/avis-de-deces/yolette-levy-179031/ |website=residence-funeraire.coop |access-date=28 February 2023 |language=fr}}{{Cite web |title=Yolette Lévy: une grande perte pour Val-d'Or |url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/ohdio/premiere/emissions/des-matins-en-or/segments/entrevue/97977/yolette-levy-deces-pionniere-conseillere-developpement-val-dor-abitibi-trahan-fernand |access-date=2024-09-29 |website=ici.radio-canada.ca |language=fr}}
In December 2017, the Regroupement des femmes de l'Abitibi-Témiscamingue supported the creation of an honorary prize, the Yolette Lévy Award.{{cite web |title=Procès verbal de l'AGA de la MRC d'Abitibi tenue le 21 mars 2018 |trans-title=Minutes of the AGM of the MRC d’Abitibi held on March 21, 2018 |url=https://mrcabitibi.qc.ca/fr/services-aux-citoyens-et-aux-municipalites/aux-citoyens/centre-documentaire |website=MRC Abitibi - Pour les T.N.O. Lac-Despinassy et Lac-Chicobi |access-date=28 February 2023 |language=fr}} Élizabeth Larouche was the first person to receive the prize inn 2019.{{Cite web |last=ICI.Radio-Canada.ca |first=Zone Société- |date=2019-04-29 |title=Élizabeth Larouche remporte le 1er Prix honorifique Yolette-Lévy |url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1166822/elizabeth-larouche-prix-honorifique-yolette-levy |access-date=2024-09-29 |website=Radio-Canada |language=fr-ca}} In February 2019 a local beer is created in her memory : Yolette-du-Monde.{{Cite web |title=Une bière en l'honneur de Yolette Lévy |url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/ohdio/premiere/emissions/region-zero-8/segments/entrevue/105438/bierre-honneur-yolette-levy-prospecteur-valdor |access-date=2024-09-29 |website=ici.radio-canada.ca |language=fr}}
Awards and honours
- 2005: Alexina-Croteau Prize, prize from the Regroupement des femmes de l'Abitibi-Témiscamingue which highlights the work of women who have distinguished themselves by their constant commitment to the cause of women in local and regional development
- 2007: Prix de la personnalité de la Chambre de commerce de Val-d'Or (Val-d'Or Chamber of Commerce Personality Award)
- 2007: Prix Charlie Biddle, prize that highlights the exceptional contribution of people who have immigrated to Quebec and whose personal or professional commitment contributes to the cultural and artistic development of Quebec{{cite web |title=Présentation |trans-title=Presentation |url=https://www.culturepourtous.ca/professionnels-de-la-culture/prix-charles-biddle/ |website=Prix Charles-Biddle |access-date=28 February 2023 |language=fr-FR}}
- 2017: {{ill|Médaille du lieutenant-gouverneur|fr}} (Lieutenant Governor's Medal){{cite web |title=Trouver un récipiendaire |trans-title=Find a recipient |publisher=Lieutenant-gouverneur du Québec |url=https://www.lieutenant-gouverneur.qc.ca/distinctions-honorifiques/recherche-recipiendaire.asp |website=www.lieutenant-gouverneur.qc.ca |access-date=28 February 2023 |language=fr |archive-date=28 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228234624/https://www.lieutenant-gouverneur.qc.ca/distinctions-honorifiques/recherche-recipiendaire.asp |url-status=dead }}
References
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Category:Haitian emigrants to Canada
Category:20th-century Canadian municipal councillors
Category:Canadian women trade unionists
Category:Trade unionists from Quebec
Category:20th-century pharmacists