Isabelle Bogelot facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Isabelle Bogelot
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
Isabelle Amélie Cottiaux
May 11, 1838 |
| Died | June 14, 1923 (aged 85) Boulogne-sur-Seine, France
|
| Nationality | French |
| Occupation | Philanthropist |
| Signature | |
 |
|
Isabelle Bogelot (born May 11, 1838 – died June 14, 1923) was a French woman who dedicated her life to helping others. She was known as a Philanthropist (someone who helps people, often through charity) and a Feminist (someone who believes in equal rights for women).
Contents
Early Life and Family
Isabelle Amélie Cottiaux was born in Paris, France. Sadly, she became an orphan at a very young age. Her father passed away when she was two, and her mother when she was four. After this, she was adopted by the family of two sisters, Maria Deraismes and Anna Féresse-Deraismes.
On May 7, 1864, Isabelle married Gustave Bogelot. He was a lawyer in Paris. They worked together on many projects, much like another famous couple, Jules and Julie Siegfried. Gustave was also very involved in helping people. He worked with groups focused on prisons and hospitals. Isabelle later said that they did "nothing without considering it together."
Helping Others: Philanthropy
Isabelle Bogelot became deeply interested in helping others in 1876. Her husband showed her a newsletter from an organization called the Œuvre des libérées de Saint-Lazare. This group helped women and children who had been released from prison. Isabelle felt it was her duty to join them.
She quickly became involved, meeting other important women like Émilie de Morsier and Sarah Monod. The main goal of this organization was to help women avoid going back to prison. They did this by teaching them skills and helping them find work. This way, the women could build a better life and feel good about themselves.
Isabelle became the director of the Œuvre in 1887. Under her leadership, they created temporary shelters. These shelters gave women and their children a safe place to stay right after leaving prison. The organization became officially recognized for its public service in 1885.
Isabelle also became interested in nursing during the Franco-Prussian War. She earned diplomas in nursing and as a paramedic. She also helped start the Women's League for Peace and Union Among Peoples. This group worked for peace between different nations.
Working for Women's Rights: Feminism
Isabelle Bogelot's work with the Œuvre des libérées de Saint-Lazare led her to the international stage. She represented the organization at many important meetings around the world:
- In 1884, she attended a congress in Basel about laws.
- In 1885, she went to a meeting in Rome about prisons.
- In 1888, she was at a meeting in Washington, D.C. about women's right to vote. Here, she helped create the International Council of Women, a worldwide group for women. She became its treasurer and later its vice president.
- In 1889, she was vice-president of the International Congress of Women in Paris.
- In 1893, she attended the Chicago World's Fair. She was part of a committee for a women's exhibition there.
Isabelle Bogelot was also a key figure in the French women's rights movement. In 1889, she and Émilie de Morsier organized the first major meeting of women's groups in Paris. This meeting led to the creation of the Conference of Versailles. This was an annual international meeting for women interested in helping others. Women from all over Europe, the United States, and Africa attended.
Isabelle helped connect French and American women's rights activists. With support from May Wright Sewall, she helped form the French branch of the International Council of Women. This group was called the National Council of French Women. Isabelle Bogelot became its honorary president. In 1906, Isabelle made history by becoming the first woman appointed to a major national council for public health and assistance in France.
Awards and Recognition
Isabelle Bogelot received several important awards for her dedication and hard work:
- On January 1, 1889, she received the Ordre des Palmes académiques. This award recognized her efforts in creating the temporary shelters for women leaving prison.
- On May 2, 1894, she was made a chevalier (a knight) of the Legion of Honour. This is one of France's highest awards.
