The Groupe entre femmes de l'Outaouais celebrates its 40th anniversary
Sonia Roy
The community organization Groupe entre femmes de l'Outaouais (GEFO), whose main mission is to break the isolation of women in the region, is celebrating its 40th anniversary! The GEFO, well known to the Gatineau population for its presence and its commitment to women (support, groups, common projects), works to establish a desire to help each other, a sense of belonging and a spirit of solidarity through its activities. Located at 115 Sacré-Coeur Boulevard in the Hull sector, the Group also intends to promote the creation of links between women and, more generally, to improve their quality of life and their overall well-being.
Founded in 1982 by Yolande Duval, the eldest of a family of seven children from a working-class background, the GEFO was at the time smaller, run by its founder from her kitchen. In this space, Yolande Duval received women to whom she offered soup (a recipe of her own that her entourage, her family and her children describe as "sensational"), rest when needed, accompaniment and her great listening skills.
An activist involved in several associations and committees (Ligue ouvrière catholique / Mouvement des travailleurs chrétiens, l'Assemblée générale de l'île de Hull / Rassemblement des comités de Hull, Développement et paix, Organismes volontaires d'éducation populaire and Association de défense des droits sociaux de Hull), it is her own life journey, in which she has come into contact with many different milieus and assisted citizens, that has pushed her to continue her social justice activities.
Although Yolande Duval passed away in 1992, the Groupe entre femmes de l'Outaouais continues to offer support and assistance to women in the Gatineau region to this day. To celebrate GEFO's 40th anniversary, the organization will publish a booklet recounting the life of Yolande Duval and her accomplishments. In fact, the Hull Soup Kitchen has a room named in honour of this kind-hearted woman, whom the GEFO describes as "an important female figure in Gatineau's community development".
The GEFO is calling on women in the Outaouais who might be interested in joining their team of volunteers! Do you have a talent, a passion, knowledge of a particular subject? You could, by contacting the GEFO, participate in the organization and holding of a workshop (ex: knitting, artistic creation, meditation, physical activities). If you have any questions or would like more information about the workshops, please contact the GEFO by phone at (819) 776-3694 or by e-mail at info@entre-femmes.ca.
Photo credit: Courtesy of GEFO
Photo caption: Yolande Duval, founder of the Groupe entre femmes de l'Outaouais
