Subscribe today to get 3 free articles per month

InstagramTwitterTiktokLinkedin
|
Advertise
The Main Logo
Magazine
Categories
  • Arts & Culture

    Creativity, heritage, and expression.

  • Beyond Montreal

    Travel, adventure, and global perspectives.

  • Design

    The best of Montreal design.

  • Food & Drink

    La bonne bouffe.

  • History

    Stories, lessons, and context.

  • Bulletin

    Our weekly newsletter.

  • See all original stories
Holiday
City Guides
Popular Guides
  • The Best Restaurants in Montreal
  • Best NEW Restaurants
  • Best Cafés
  • Unique Boutiques
  • Romantic Restaurants
  • Best Bookstores
  • See all Guides
Directory
Neighbourhood
  • Downtown
  • Le Plateau-Mont-Royal
  • Mile End
  • Mile-Ex
  • Saint-Henri
  • See All
Business Type
  • Restaurant
  • Café
  • Boutique / Store
  • Bar
  • Bakery
  • See All
Near the Metro
  • Peel
  • Mont-Royal
  • Place-Saint-Henri
  • Place-d'Armes
  • Jarry
  • View all
Shop
Subscribe
Subscribe

Montreal's Cultural Directory

Help us improve! Share your thoughts on how we can make your experience better.

Leave feedback

For partnerships and collaborations:

partnerships@themain.com

Explore

  • About us
  • Shop
  • Advertise
  • Pitch us

Connect

  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Tiktok
  • Linkedin

Resources

  • RSS Feed
  • Subscribe

Legal

  • Terms of service
  • Membership Terms
  • Privacy Policy

The Main Media Inc. 2025

✦ Built By Field Office
    50% off your first 5 rides
    logo

    50% off your first 5 rides

    50% off your first 5 rides

    From standard rides to XL cars for six, Lyft has options to fit your riding needs. Max $10 off/ride. Terms apply.

    Claim your offer
    1. Articles
    2. Newsletter

    The Bulletin: Who's the mother of Montreal? [Issue #24]

    The Bulletin is a collection of what's happened, what’s happening, and what’s to come in and around Montreal.

    By The MainMay 11, 2023 - Read time: 8 min
    The Bulletin: Who's the mother of Montreal? [Issue #24]A view of Hôtel-Dieu from Mount Royal, 1869. (Archives du Musée McCord)

    Mother's Day is approaching this Sunday, which has got us wondering: Who's the mother of Montreal?

    Maybe Valérie Plante? She's a mom with those, you know, mom vibes, and she's definitely leading a rebirth of the city—warts and all—in its environmentally-forward urban planning and progressive approach to citizenry.

    There are a lot of women who helped put this city on the map: Musician and teacher Daisy Peterson Sweeney. Astronaut and engineer Julie Payette. Drag legend Mado Lamotte. Feminist advocate and activist Henrietta Muir Edwards. Nursing pioneer Nora Livingston. Business woman and inventor Agathe de Saint-Père. Journalist Joséphine Marchand. Artist and aboriginal rights' activist Ellen Gabriel. Organzier Berthe Chaurès-Louard.

    Some would say Céline, even if she was born in Charlemagne, QC.

    Must be logged in

    Join The Main free and keep reading.

    Create a free account.

    Create a free account to unlock this story and get 3 articles a month, plus our weekly Bulletin.

    • 3 free articles per month
    • Save your favourite places & guides
    • Weekly newsletter The Bulletin
    • Stay connected to Montreal culture

    Become an Insider.

    Unlock unlimited access, exclusive guides, and member perks — and help support the independent Montreal stories we publish every week.

    Subscribe
    • Unlimited access to all stories
    • Exclusive features & local insights
    • Special offers and event invites
    • 10% off in our shop
    • Support local storytelling

    Already a member? Sign in

    Latest Stories

    Food & Drink

    Hana is Korean fine dining for the steakhouse crowd

    DEC 19
    Hana is Korean fine dining for the steakhouse crowd
    Bulletin

    20 years of hits with the Jonas Brothers in Montreal last night

    DEC 18
    20 years of hits with the Jonas Brothers in Montreal last night
    Bulletin

    Air Canada launches Montreal-Santiago flights and a direct line home for Chilean Montrealers

    DEC 18
    Air Canada launches Montreal-Santiago flights and a direct line home for Chilean Montrealers
    Newsletter

    The Bulletin: Sunday roasts, wrestling chaos, and lip-syncing to Christmas movies [Issue #160]

    DEC 18
    The Bulletin: Sunday roasts, wrestling chaos, and lip-syncing to Christmas movies [Issue #160]
    Arts & Culture

    The best things to do in Montreal this weekend (Dec 18 to 21, 2025)

    DEC 18
    The best things to do in Montreal this weekend (Dec 18 to 21, 2025)
    From Garden to Bouquet: The Story of Floramama's Farmed Flowers

    Previous

    From Garden to Bouquet: The Story of Floramama's Farmed Flowers

    Next

    Gong Gong Gong Touches Down in Montreal

    Gong Gong Gong Touches Down in Montreal
    logo

    Shop The Main's Dépanneur. Open 24/7.

    Mr. Sign x The Main "Dep" Bundle

    Mr. Sign x The Main "Dep" Bundle

    $50.00

    Mr. Sign x The Main “Dep” Tee

    Mr. Sign x The Main “Dep” Tee

    $30.00

    Mr. Sign x The Main “Dep” Tote

    Mr. Sign x The Main “Dep” Tote

    $30.00

    Support local

    Shop All Merch