An Opportunity for Self-Discovery

Joining the Cercle provides women with an opportunity to showcase some of their skills, and to discover talents they didn’t know they had. In fact, Alice has recently found herself knitting beautiful socks for her whole family!

One morning, a Fermière explains to Alice how in the 1970s, when she joined the Cercle, many women who were highly skilled in textile arts didn’t recognize their own talent. Sewing clothes, making blankets, weaving dish towels – these were all just everyday chores, and the women didn’t see much value in them. Alice can’t believe it!

Of course she can do that, she’s a woman…

Suzanne Lemay-Robitaille

It was only after comparing notes with other women, sharing tips and advice, and participating in contests and exhibitions, that these women realized the value of their skills and knowledge, and of the things they produced.

Today’s competitions still provide the Fermières with an opportunity to try out new techniques and develop their ability to learn and grow.

Discovering hidden talent (1) (subtitles available in FR and EN). Watch the video with the transcript (EN).

In addition to their expertise in textile arts, participating in the activities and management of the Cercle has helped  women to develop leadership skills and confidence. That was the experience of Marthe-Élise Amiot, as observed by her daughter Marie-Claude Hébert, today a Fermière herself. Seeing her mother develop as a member of the Cercle was an inspiration to her.

Discovering hidden talent (2) (subtitles available in FR and EN). Watch the video with the transcript (EN).

My mother, a Fermière ! (subtitles available in EN and FR). Watch the video with the transcript (EN).

Some women, like Madeleine Cadieux, have found that being a Fermière allowed them to discover their hidden talent as actors. In Saint-Eustache, in the 1980s and 1990s, the Fermières staged and performed three plays. Alice wishes they had been filmed. It was an original way to keep the organization running smoothly while at the same time providing the participants with an opportunity to have fun together.

Plays put on by the Cercle de Fermières de Saint-Eustache (subtitles available in EN and FR). Watch the video with the transcript (EN).