Pembroke in Renfrew County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Jeanne Lajoie
1899-1930
Photographed By Kevin Craft, July 4, 2017
1. Jeanne Lajoie Marker
Jeanne Lajoie, a dedicated teacher and advocate for the establishment of French schools in Ontario, was born in Lefaivre, near Hawkesbury, in 1899. In 1923, Lajoie helped a group of Francophone parents to establish the first independent French school in Pembroke. The school ensured that their children were educated in their own language. The creation of L'École Sainte-Jeanne d'Arc was one of the last major events in the Franco-Ontarian struggle against Regulation 17, which from 1912 to 1927 prohibited instruction in French after Grade 2. Lajoie taught at the school, initially located in the Dominion Street home of Moïse Lafrance and then in a Mary Street house purchased by the parents. Suffering from fragile health her entire life, Jeanne Lajoie died of tuberculosis at the age of 31. She was immortalized as the "Pucelle de Pembroke," the "Maid of Pembroke," in reference to Joan of Arc, for her commitment to providing education in French and preserving Francophone culture within Ontario.
Erected by Ontario Heritage Trust.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights
this page online
Location. 45° 49.355′ N, 77° 7.57′ W. Marker is in Pembroke, Ontario, in Renfrew County. Marker is on James Street, 0.1 kilometers north of Mary Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located in front of the Centre Culturel Francophone de Pembroke. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 303 James Street, Pembroke ON K8A 4V1, Canada. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 3 other markers are within 16 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Pembroke and Mattawan Road (approx. 1.2 kilometers away); The Founder of Pembroke (approx. 3.2 kilometers away); First Military Test Flights (approx. 15.6 kilometers away).
Photographed By Kevin Craft, July 4, 2017
2. Wideview of Jeanne Lajoie Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on April 18, 2018. It was originally submitted on July 15, 2017, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec. This page has been viewed 168 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 15, 2017, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec.
