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Bourgeoys

Bourgeoys is a French surname most prominently associated with Marguerite Bourgeoys, a 17th-century nun who played a foundational role in the education system of New France (present-day Quebec). She is best known for founding the Congregation of Notre Dame and establishing the first school for girls in Montreal.

Marguerite Bourgeoys was born in 1620 in Troyes, France. She emigrated to New France in the early

Her work left a lasting religious and educational legacy. Bourgeoys was ultimately canonized as Saint Marguerite

Today, the name Bourgeoys remains closely linked with Marguerite Bourgeoys in historical and cultural discussions of

1650s
and
arrived
in
Montreal
in
1653,
where
she
began
teaching
at
the
Hôtel-Dieu
de
Montréal.
In
1658–59
she
and
companions
formed
the
Congregation
of
Notre
Dame
to
institutionalize
their
educational
work.
The
order
focused
on
educating
girls
and
expanding
schools
across
the
colony,
laying
the
groundwork
for
female
education
in
early
Canada.
Bourgeoys
by
Pope
John
Paul
II
in
1982,
recognizing
her
contributions
to
the
Catholic
Church
and
to
education
in
Canada.
Her
legacy
is
remembered
in
the
many
institutions
and
places
named
in
her
honor,
including
schools
and
streets
in
Montreal
and
other
Canadian
communities.
Canadian
education,
religious
history,
and
colonial
Montreal.
The
figure
is
studied
for
its
impact
on
the
development
of
schooling
for
girls
and
the
role
of
religious
orders
in
early
North
American
education.