Born: November 3, 1903 (Montreal, Quebec)
Biography:
Léa Roback was a remarkable Canadian trade union organizer, social activist, pacifist, and feminist, known for her relentless campaign against exclusion, violence, racism, and injustice. Her contributions as a polyglot and suffragist made her a pioneer of feminism in Quebec. Born on November 3, 1903, in Montreal, Quebec, Léa was the second of nine children in a family of Polish Jewish immigrants. Her father, a tailor, and her mother, Fanny, ran a general store, making them the only Jewish family in Beauport, the town where Léa spent her early years.
Growing up in a multicultural environment, Léa acquired fluency in multiple languages. She spoke Yiddish at home, French with the locals in Beauport, and English at school. Léa’s family placed great value on reading and the arts, shaping her intellectual development from an early age. Her independent maternal grandmother also played a significant role in influencing Léa’s worldview.
In 1915, Roback’s family moved back to Montreal, and shortly after, she began working at British American Dyeworks, where she started observing the stark social disparities in the city. Her next job as a cashier at Her Majesty’s Theatre further exposed her to the diverse sectors of Montreal society. This growing awareness of inequality and injustice in her surroundings fueled her determination to fight for social change.
With a deep interest in literature, Léa saved money to pursue further education, eventually enrolling at the University of Grenoble in 1926. By 1929, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, a significant achievement that empowered her to pursue her passions and aspirations. Following her studies, she traveled to New York City, where she reconnected with her sister.
In 1929, Léa embarked on a transformative journey to Berlin to visit her brother Henri, a medical student. During her time in Berlin, she immersed herself in the German language, took university courses, and taught English to sustain her academic pursuits. Léa’s travels also took her to England and Italy, where she developed a strong commitment to Communism.
On May 1st, 1929, Léa officially joined the Communist Party of Germany, attracted by the socialist ideals. However, she soon felt disillusioned by the party’s failure to translate their rhetoric into meaningful action. This led her to shift her support to Marxism-Leninism, marking a significant turning point in her political consciousness.
As the Nazis gained power in Germany, Léa, a Jew, foreigner, and Communist, faced increasing threats to her safety. Heeding the advice of her professors, she made the difficult decision to return to Montreal in the fall of 1932. Once back in Canada, she joined the Communist Party of Canada as she continued her tireless advocacy for social justice.
In Montreal, Léa actively participated in the organization of the unemployed, aligning herself with the leadership of Norman Bethune. She also worked at the Young Women’s Hebrew Association, leveraging her skills and passion for community work. In 1935, she took a pivotal step in her activism by establishing Montreal’s first Marxist bookshop, the Modern Book Shop, on Bleury Street.
Working alongside Thérèse Casgrain, Léa Roback played a crucial role in the fight for women’s suffrage in Quebec in 1936. Together, they championed the cause, pushing for equal rights for women and raising awareness about gender inequality. Additionally, Léa collaborated with Rose Pesotta, an experienced union organizer from New York, to establish the International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union (ILGWU) in Montreal, uniting garment workers and advocating for their rights.
Throughout her life, Léa Roback remained dedicated to social activism and the pursuit of justice. Her relentless efforts had a profound impact on the lives of countless individuals, and her legacy as a feminist trailblazer in Quebec endures to this day.