Histoire des 16

In June 1943, the French National Liberation Committee founded by General de Gaulle sought to win in the eyes of the Allies. Held at a time of rupture and innovation, the Committee reinstated national representation as soon as possible by means of a provisional Consultative Assembly. And to give more force to this gesture are for the first time called to participate in the political reconstruction of the country of women who had not previously had the right to vote. Sixteen elite women, sixteen pioneers. Widows of heroes in the image of the communist Mathilde Gabriel-Péri, renowned fighters such as Lucie Aubrac and Gilberte Brossolette, forgotten, like the mother of Minister Michèle Delaunay, or Martha Desrumeaux, the pasionaria of the North. In moving portraits, Michèle Cointet retraces the history of these first French parliamentarians, their struggles, the barriers they had to tear down, and gives back their place to those who embodied the promise of political renewal, hope a better future.--Translation of page 4 of cover by Fayard.