J.D. Potié
QUYON Feb. 19, 2019
On Friday, over 200 women from all around the Pontiac gathered at the Pontiac Conference Centre, in Fort-Coulonge, for the 9th annual Salon de la Femme.
The event, co-organized by Claudee Galipeau, Ashley Nadeau and L’EntourElle, was created to give women a place to get together and enjoy themselves for a special winter evening.
According to Nadeau, the event was used as way to raise funds for a cause, while providing a place for women with similar values and interests to congregate.
“[The goal is] having an event for the women in the Pontiac to have fun,” said Nadeau. “And obviously the profits go to L’EntourElle, so that really helps, since we’re a community organization.”
Hosted by Genevieve Gagnon, a French-speaking, Quebec-native stand-up comedian, the event provided numerous female-oriented amenities for those present, including kiosks displaying skin care products, jewelry, and make-up, among countless other things.
Throughout the evening, women gave presentations, held workshops and even handed out recognition awards to deserving winners, including Guylaine Martine who was honoured for her many years of service at the Shawville hospital, according to Galipeau.
The night concluded with a dance-party accompanied with live music from a DJ.
According to the organizers, the event raised over $2000 all of which will be dedicated to L’EntourElle, an organization dedicated to providing care and shelter for women seeking to find a stable path towards a better life.
The money will be used to bolster services that help women and children, according to Galipeau.
Nadeau said the event is an important contributor for women in the Pontiac, as the demand for shelter, care and education for women living in precarious positions is constantly augmenting while funding for the organization isn’t.
