Home Economics Schools

From 1882 to 1962, Home Economic Schools of Quebec formed “model wives”. These schools run by religious communities led tens of thousands of young people to master domestic arts: sewing, weaving, childcare and nutrition.

The Catholic clergy wanted to create exceptional women according to Father Albert Tessier in 1949. At that time, the Church was facing a crumbling of traditional family values. The home economics schools were seen as a way of perpetuating Catholic morals within Quebec families.

Soeurs Jeannine Cornellier et Laurette Leduc, s.n.j.m.


Claude Brunet interviewed Sister Laurette Leduc, 100 years old, who taught culinary arts at the Home Economics School of l'Épiphanie and Sister Jeannine Cornellier, 82 years old, who was her student.

 
Taken from the Radio-Canada website