Claudette Gleeson, Chair of the Aurores boréales CSDC, will receive the medal of the Ordre de la Pléiade at an investiture ceremony at Queen's Park on Wednesday March 20.
La Pléiade, Ordre de la Francophonie et du dialogue des cultures, was created in 1976. Its purpose is to recognize the merits of personalities who have contributed to the development of the French language in Ontario.
Claudette Gleeson was born in North Bay and has lived in Thunder Bay since 1988. As soon as she arrived, she made a commitment to the French-speaking community by becoming the coordinator of a children's playgroup, and since then she has never ceased to devote herself to the advancement of the French-speaking community in Northwestern Ontario. She has made incredible strides for francophones in almost every sphere (education, health, culture, politics).
Among her many commitments, she is currently president of several francophone organizations in Thunder Bay: Accueil francophone de Thunder Bay, Centre francophone de Thunder Bay, Conseil scolaire de district catholique des Aurores boréales, and Association des francophones du nord-ouest de l'Ontario. At the provincial level, she has been vice-president of the Assemblée de la francophonie since 2018, and was president of the Conseil de la Coopération de l'Ontario (CCO) from 2016 to 2018. She puts her heart and soul into ensuring the success and sustainability of the initiatives she sets up; for example, the creation of the Centre francophone and the Franco-Festival have greatly contributed to the visibility of Francophones and the influence of the French-speaking world.
Her commitment and passion have had a remarkable impact on the Northwest and the entire province of Ontario. Ms. Gleeson's commitment is unwavering, and she is a model of self-sacrifice.
Congratulations!
