Marie-Julienne-É Lisa Grimailh, known as Élisa Lemonnier (1805 – 1865) was a French educator who founded the first professional school for all women.
The education of young girls
Daughter of Etiennette-Rosa-lie Aldebert and Jean Grimailh, Marie-Julienne-Élisa Grimailh was born on the 25th March 1805 in Paris. She lost her father very early and it was her mother and grandmother who raised her and allowed her to benefit from a good education. At the director of the College of Sorèze, she met a professor of philosophy, Charles Lemonnier, whom she married in 1831. Charles was hired as a professor of philosophy at Sorèze and the couple stayed there for some time. The Lemonniers then settled in Bordeaux where Charles became a lawyer, then in Paris where he obtained the position of head of litigation for the Chemins de fer du Nord.
The French Revolution of 1848 left many women destitute. Élisa has always been interested in improving the status of women, and decides to create a sewing workshop in rue du Faubourg Saint-Martin to provide workers with sources of income. Noting that some lack basic notions of sewing, she decides to devote herself to the professional education of young girls.
The Maternal Protection Society
In 1856, Élisa Lemonnier created the Maternal Protection Society (became in 1862 Society for the professional education of women ) which aims to educate as many young girls as possible and teach them a trade that allows them to earn a living. This professional school is a great success and other schools are born when the premises are too small. 500 young girls, from the petty bourgeoisie and the well-to-do working class, follow his teachings.
Élisa Lemonnier died on June 5, 1865 in Paris.