by

Corinne M. Belliard

Description
About the Author
Table of Contents

In 19th century France, philanthropy was primarily thought to be a personal virtue. At first, women were not intended to be part of the philanthropic world but, then, men from privileged classes realized that their wives and daughters, symbols of family happiness and ladylike sweetness, were the most suited to smooth off class relationships with the poor ones. They granted them with “special qualities”. But the role assigned to women at the Office Central des Oeuvres de Bienfaisance excluded them from the decision-making bodies. They were relegated to the Ladies Auxiliary Committee. As part of the elite, they were only able to act according to how good wives and social events organisers were expected to be. They were embedded in blatant paternalism. Philanthropy did not play an emancipating role for them. On the contrary, it contributed to stress their inferiority. Charitable women eventually came emancipated of their own accord even though no one thought they had any worthwhile qualities.

Corinne M. Belliard holds a PhD in History and Civilization from the School of Advanced Studies in Social Sciences, Paris. She worked four years as a lecturer at the University François Rabelais in Tours, then as an Associate Professor at the Catholic University, Paris. During this time, she continued her lecturing at the Sorbonne Nouvelle and University Cergy-Pontoise.
She currently lectures at University Paris East. She is involved in various feminist associations. In Britain, she is a member of Women’s History Network. In France, she belongs to Mnemosyne, which promotes the history of women and gender, an association affiliated to the International Federation for Research in Women’s History. She is also a member of two history societies, Feminist Archives, based in Angers and Achieving Equality for Women and Men in Paris.

Introduction 9
PART ONE
“Tis good and lovely to be kind;
But charity should not be blind.”		 13
1. Who is a Poor Person? 15
2. Economic and Social Context 17
3. Charity versus Philanthropy 25
35
PART TWO
“Women experience History,
but they do not make it.”		 43
4. What is a Woman? 45
5. A Failed Prelude 47
6. Traditional versus Special Qualities 57
PART THREE – IN THE O.C.O.B. 67
7. Attendance 69
8. Activities 75
9. Writing and Speaking 82
10. Impotence 92
PART FOUR – OUT THE O.C.O.B. 101
11. Splitting 103
12. No Qualities 110
13. Patriots or Feminists? 116
14. Conclusion 127
List of boxes and tables 133
Appendix 134
Bibliography 142
Index 154
Details

Paperback: 159 pages
Size: 14 x 21.6 cm
(5.5 x 8.5 in)
Published: December 2019
ISBN: 978-1-9996138-4-6

Buy from the Shop
Price

£ 25 + shipping