Our History

Centro Donne was officially established and incorporated in 1978, opening its doors on Boulevard St. Michel. It primarily serves women from Montreal's Italian community. The initiative was spearheaded by a group of young women from Il Collettivo who were members of the Italo-Québécois Association of Culture, founded in the 1970s. This association was composed of young intellectuals, students, and individuals committed to discussing and promoting progressive ideas and aiming to give the community a voice.

In the spirit of social commitment, these young women assessed the situation of women, particularly within the Italian community, where traditional and conservative values were deeply ingrained.

During this period, strong social movements prevailed locally, nationally, and internationally, greatly influencing the establishment of Centro Donne. Struggles against sexism, poverty, wage inequality, and other issues were prominent, making the era dynamic and active.

The main concern of these young activists was to provide a space where Italian-speaking women, especially first-generation immigrant workers, underpaid mothers, and isolated women, could have a voice and find support. They needed a place for discussion, reflection, and assistance in breaking their isolation and achieving emotional, social, and economic autonomy. The Women’s Association of St. Michel, which united women of a certain age to combat isolation, later joined the group of young activists. They wrote subsidy requests to the Ministry of Immigration and Centraide to secure a meeting place and support their projects.

By the end of the 1970s, the center's main activities primarily involved organizing conferences on topics such as health, personal growth, and self-esteem, tailored to the needs of Italian-speaking women.