Who was Léa Roback? And what can we learn from activism?

Léa Roback (1903-2000) gained renown for her seven decades of activism in Quebec, particularly championing union rights and women rights. Yet, despite her significant accomplishments no English-language biography exists. In our current geo-political climate, marked by polarization and lack of dialogue, documenting Roback's ability to transcend linguistic, religious, cultural, and class boundaries in pursuit of social justice is inspiring.

This biography, based on interviews between Roback and filmmaker Sophie Bissonette, sociologist Nicole Lacelle, journalist Merrily Weisbord and others, promises to engage students, educators in social justice-oriented fields, Equity Studies, Gender Studies, Education Studies, Canadian Studies, Canadian History courses and all those who seek justice and enthusiasm from a life-long human rights activist.

• Cover
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Dedication
• Copyright Page
• Abstract
• Table of Contents
• Acknowledgements
• Warning
• Learning objectives
• 1 Léa Roback: Her life and times (1903–2000)
  • Perspectives in the biography
    • Intersectionality
    • Border crossing
    • Activist community care
  • Sources used in writing the biography
    • Archival research
    • Historical writing and podcasts
• 2 Beauport and Montreal: Family and community life (1905–1929)
  • Jewish life in Beauport
  • On antisemitism: Then and now
  • From Beauport to Montreal
  • His Majesty’s theatre and Lucien Lacouture
  • Bohemian Montreal
  • From Montreal to Grenoble
  • From Grenoble to Montreal to New York City
• 3 Berlin and Montreal: Political learning and Communist Party work
  • The rise of Hitler
  • Joining the Communist Party in Montreal
  • Auntie Léa meets Fred Rose
  • The Modern Book Shop and the Padlock Law
  • Leaving the Communist Party
• 4 Montreal: Fighting for workers’ rights (1936–1952)
  • Auntie Léa and Rose Pesotta
  • Creating unity and solidarity
  • The dressmaker strike of 1937
  • Fighting racism in the dressmaking industry
  • Leaving the ILGWU
  • Unionizing the workers at RCA
• 5 Montreal: Fighting for women’s rights (1933–2000)
  • The right to vote
  • La Voix des Femmes/Voice of Women (VOW) and peace activism
  • Fighting for the right to abortion
  • Fighting against pornography and violence against women
  • Fighting against apartheid
• 6 Léa Roback: Growing older (1988–2000)
  • Thoughts on love
  • Thoughts on family support
  • Seeing beauty in the world
  • Tributes, honours, and legacies
• Notes
• Discussion questions
• References
• Recommended further reading
• Index

Tara Goldstein is a Professor in the Department of Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education and the Artistic Director of Gailey Road productions where theatre meets research and research meets theatre.

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