Mr. Speaker, as part of Women's History Month, I would like to pay tribute to an ally of women past and present: artist Adèle Blais.
From activist Thérèse Casgrain to civil rights figure Claudette Colvin and writer Gabrielle Roy, Ms. Blais chooses to use her art to celebrate iconic figures and give a voice to women who have been forgotten for too long.
She tells the stories of all these great women, but her own story is just as inspiring. Despite having a difficult time at school, she persevered, earned her diploma and taught herself to read after being functionally illiterate until the age of 25.
Today, the Sherbrooke native is charming the world with exhibitions in London, Hong Kong, and Stockholm. Her unique approach inspires the artists of tomorrow to use art to convey powerful messages.
If my colleagues find themselves in Sherbrooke, I invite them to stop by Whiting Alley to see for themselves the nuance of her striking works.
October is coming to an end, but the impact of women endures.