COMMUNAUTÉ • COMMUNITY
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n’importe qu’elle jeune femme
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“It’s the challenge that nourishes me,” says Madame Watier of the foundation. “I want
qui entre dans le milieu du travail to make a difference in women’s lives, women who have not been as privileged as me. There
d’aller plus loin. « Si vous faites des efforts But if a woman has the will, then I can help.” The Foundation assists those eligible for one year,
aujourd’hui devrait toujours essayer
supplémentaires, si vous travaillez plus
fort que vos collègues, les gens vont le
remarquer, vous vous démarquerez. »
Personne ne pourrait blâmer madame
Watier si elle voulait s’arrêter et relaxer.
Mais la réalité est qu’elle est incapable
is a will in every person, a will to have a better future, and not necessarily in terms of money.
studying their business plan, and offering advice and support. “If we see that it can work, we
offer her the financial support that maybe a bank is not willing to do.”
For Madame Watier, autonomy is of the utmost importance in a woman’s life. To not have
to depend on anyone else — a man or the government or anybody — equals independence.
“This is freedom,” she says.
Of course, not all women want to enter business, and there are different levels of ambition.
d’arrêter. Elle est active, dynamique et “Those levels are as varied as there are humans,” says Madame Watier. “For some women, all
secret du succès pour cette officière de and send them to school.”
belle comme jamais. Alors, quel est le
l’Ordre du Canada et de l’Ordre national
du Québec?
« J’aimerais pouvoir vous dire que
j’aime faire de l’exercice, mais la réalité
they want is to be able to work and make ends meet and be able to take care of their children
Lise Watier says that, at its core, the Foundation is there to not only help women but their
children as well. She says that when children see a strong, independent mother, they emulate
those qualities. “All of this creates a strong role model. A child learns by example,” she says.
Speaking of children, Madame Watier is hopeful for the future. And although she rarely of-
est que je n’aime pas ça », dit-elle en riant. fers advice unless solicited, she says that for any young women entering the workforce today
pas, à part un verre de vin à l’occasion. Je leagues, people will take notice, you will stand out.”
« Je mange simplement bien et je ne bois
suis mariée et heureuse depuis plus de 30
ans maintenant. Et j’adore les gens qui
me tiennent à cœur, je donne beaucoup
d’amour et j’en reçois beaucoup. Ça
should always try to go beyond. “If you go that extra mile, if you work harder than your col-
No one would blame Madam e Watier if she wanted to sit back and relax. The thing is, she
never just sits back. She’s as active and vibrant and beautiful as ever. So what’s the secret of
success for this officer of the Order of Canada and the Ordre national du Québec?
“I wish I could tell you that I love exercise, but the reality is, I don’t,” she says, chuckling. “I
me fait sentir vivante. Tout ce que vous simply eat properly, and I don’t drink except for the occasional glass of wine. I’m very happily
est de donner, de recevoir et d’apprécier. Et a lot of love. This makes me feel alive. Whatever you give, you get back. For me, the key is to
donnez, vous le recevez. Pour moi, la clé
j’apprécie toutes les petites choses. » M
28
MONTRÉAL enSANTÉ HIVER 2017
married for over 30 years now. And I love the people I care about. I give a lot of love and receive
give, to receive, and to appreciate. And I appreciate every little thing.” M