Not a lot of women have made it to the Pantheon. Although there are more and more of them over the years, only six women have been resting there: Simone Veil, Marie Curie, Germaine Tillion, Geneviève de Gaulle-Anthonioz, Sophie Betherlot and Josephine Baker. And yet, plenty of illustrious women deserve a place there, and feminist organizations keep on fighting for a better representation, yet far from reaching equality. According to historian Catherine Marand-Fouquet, Olympe de Gougescould be the next woman to enter.
This Saturday November 5, historians and feminists have gathered for a protest in front of the Pantheon. Carried out by Catherine Marand-Fouquet, the event required the enthronement of the famous French Revolutionary within the monument. Since 1989, the historian has been asking French Presidents to act this way, without being ever listened. According to her, Emmanuel Macron has promised he was simply waiting for “an opportunity”.
Olympe de Gouges is a very important figure for Women’s Rights in France. As a matter of fact, she is the one to have written the Declaration of the Rights of Woman and of the Female Citizen in 1791. She also strongly fought against slavery which almost led her to be jailed in La Bastille. This great revolutionary and woman of letters was guillotined on November 3, 1793, arrested by the Montagnards for her political commitment.
Discover Paris in the footsteps of women who marked History
For International Women’s Day, go and discover Paris in the footsteps of the major women who marked History and discover places that were meaningful in their lives. [Read more]
Location
The Pantheon
Place du Panthéon
75005 Paris 5
Access
Metro: Luxembourg / Cardinal Lemoine / Maubert Mutualité
Discover Paris in the footsteps of women who marked History
