26 Facts About Madeleine Vernet

Madeleine Vernet was a French teacher, writer, libertarian and pacifist.

Madeleine Vernet attacked abuses in the state system of foster homes, where children were often used for their labor.

Madeleine Vernet was a committed pacifist during World War I, and continued to be involved in pacifist organizations after the war.

Madeleine Vernet wrote of families who received allowances for foster children and used them for labor.

In 1904 Madeleine Vernet participated in founding the Ruche at Rambouillet, a school dedicated to avant-garde education.

Madeleine Vernet said educating children is one of the greatest social responsibilities.

Madeleine Vernet was disappointed in the lack of interest of the feminists, who were more concerned with themselves than with the social struggle.

Madeleine Vernet was already associated with libertarian circles, and published a brochure on Free Love.

Madeleine Vernet contributed to Libertaire and Temps Nouveaux during the pre-war years, writing against the extremes of the neo-Malthusian doctrine which led to either reduction or elimination of births.

On 1 May 1906, thanks in part to her mother's savings, and helped by her sister and her companion Louis Tribier, Madeleine Vernet was able to found the orphanage l'Avenir social in a small house in Neuilly-Plaisance, Seine-et-Oise.

Madeleine Vernet practiced the methods of Paul Robin in giving children a rational education.

Madeleine Vernet argued in favor of coeducation, mixing girls and boys, rather than separating them as in a prison or convent.

Madeleine Vernet was able to return to Epone after the front stabilized.

Two weeks after Brion had been arrested, Madeleine Vernet produced a 30-page pamphlet that presented the case as another Dreyfus affair.

Madeleine Vernet distributed a clandestine brochure and two numbers of Les Voix qu'on etrangle, a pacifist sheet.

Madeleine Vernet saw maternity as a source of happiness and fulfillment, and thought that a woman who gave life could only be hostile to war, which took life away.

In October 1917 Madeleine Vernet founded La mere educatrice, which she published until her death.

Madeleine Vernet argued that on the contrary the state should assist unwed mothers, and wanted maternity to be recognized as a real job.

Madeleine Vernet's collaborators include Nelly Roussel, Louise Bodin and Helene Brion, all radical feminists.

Madeleine Vernet founded the Ligue des femmes contre la guerre in Paris in 1921, with about 500 members at time of creation.

Madeleine Vernet continued her educational work in the orphanage at Epone for a while.

Madeleine Vernet disagreed with their views, and in January 1923 resigned as director.

Madeleine Vernet became involved in education of mothers, feminism and pacifism.

In 1928 Madeleine Vernet was secretary general of the Comite international d'action et propagande pour la paix et le desarmement.

Madeleine Vernet retired to Levallois-Perret, where she died on 5 October 1949.

Madeleine Vernet is buried in the cemetery of Barentin, Seine-Inferieure.