Mural to honour ‘Women of Steel’ unveiled

Montreal’s ‘Women of Steel’ – or ‘Le Donne D’acciaio’ in Italian – mural has been officially unveiled. The mural is dedicated to many immigrant women who worked for years in the city’s textile factories in the Chabanel neighbourhood.

It was started in September and took five weeks to complete. Nicole Boyce, one of the two artists behind the mural, spoke of its symbolic importance.

“We gather to unveil a remarkable mural, a tribute to immigrant women who toil tirelessly in Chabanel’s textile factories. These women were more than mere factory workers. They were the very lifeblood of their families and communities,” said Boyce.

READ MORE: Mural honours immigrant ‘women of steel’ who worked in Montreal textile factories

“As poignant reminders of the immense obstacles they faced in an era where labor laws were unjust and gender equality remained a distant goal.”

Attending the event many of the ‘Women of Steel’ are proud to be finally recognized and honoured. The same happiness was shared by all those who worked tirelessly to carry out such a long-term project, including Margherita Morsella, one of the women behind the project, and Pina di Pasquale from Centre des femmes solidaires et engagées

“These women, you know, they haven’t been recognized. They’ve worked so hard. They’ve given so much to society. We’re very happy, and very proud of the fruit of our work, of everything that we’ve put in it. We can see from the mural behind us that the ‘Women of Steel’ that have come, how happy they are,” said Di Pasquale.

Morsella added, “Working with the team and implicating the women themselves, the real protagonists of this venture, yes, it’s a pleasure to see them. I am glad that they’re happy. I’m glad that they like the mural. I think it’s representative and very small. So it was a good day.”