Photo : Bibliothèque historique de la Ville de Paris / Andrée Naujac (photographe) / 2-DP-012-1609-01
Round table "Working-class history, history of women workers"
Last date of the cycle dedicated to women workers offered by the Historical Library of the City of Paris. Historians Romain Castellesi, Fanny Gallot, and Amandine Tabutaud will discuss the figure of women workers in contemporary France.
Accès pour les personnes à mobilité réduite (Paris 4th)
About
"The working woman! An impious, sordid word, which no language ever had, which no time would have understood before this iron age, and which alone would balance out all our so-called progress!" asserted historian Jules Michelet in 1861. Between mythologization and repression, the figure of the working woman is ambivalent: although present in all eras and in many industrial sectors, they are invisibles among the invisible. This lecture aims to question the presence of women workers in France in the 20e century, a moment of affirmation but also of marginalization for these workers. In factories, workshops, but also at home or even in mobilizations, women have always represented at least 20% of the working class and have participated in revolutionizing French society.
Romain Castellesi is a lecturer in contemporary history at the Université du Littoral Côte d'Opale (ULCO). His work focuses on the social history of deindustrialization, and in particular the working-class dimension of the phenomenon. He published in 2025 Savoir commencer une grève. Résistances ouvrières à la désindustrialisation dans la France contemporaine, with Agone editions. He is currently interested in oral investigation in working-class circles and the gender of the economic crisis.
Our take on this event
History often overlooks the women who built our industrial landscape from the sidelines, but this discussion brings their legacy center stage. You will explore the grit and influence of the female workforce through a captivating deep dive into their century of struggles and triumphs. Come uncover the voices that fueled historical change far from the mainstream spotlight.
Delve into the complexities of labor history during the roundtable discussion 'histoire ouvrière, histoire d'ouvrières' on January 6, 2027. From 19:00 to 20:30, historian Romain Castellesi examines the roles and marginalization of women in the French working class throughout the 20th century. This free event, recommended for ages 15 and up, takes place at the Jardin Lamoignon - Mark Ashton in the 4th arrondissement. Designed to be inclusive, the venue is fully wheelchair accessible, ensuring that everyone can participate in this deep dive into historical social dynamics and the evolution of labor movements in France.
On January 6, 2027, the Jardin Lamoignon - Mark Ashton hosts a significant exploration of women's roles in the labor force. Attendees aged 15 and older are invited to investigate the paradox of the female worker: while women consistently comprised at least 20% of the workforce, they often remained invisible in historical records. This session aims to shed light on their contributions within factories, workshops, and social movements across the 20th century.
The discussion features Romain Castellesi, a contemporary history lecturer at the Université du Littoral Côte d'Opale. Specializing in the social history of deindustrialization and oral inquiry within working-class communities, Castellesi will provide expert insight into how these women participated in revolutionizing French society. The session runs from 19:00 to 20:30, offering a unique perspective on the intersection of gender and economic history.
Located at 25 rue des Franc-Bourgeois, 75004 Paris, the venue is fully accessible to wheelchair users, ensuring a comfortable environment for all guests. Admission to this event is free of charge.
