The Godmother Who Opens Doors
| This blog post is part of “20 Years, 20 Stories,” a series celebrating the 20th anniversary of the 60 million girls Foundation. Over the next eight months, we will share the stories of the people who have shaped our journey — volunteers, partners, donors, and the girls at the heart of our mission. We hope their voices inspire you as much as they inspire us. |
A Meeting of Minds
In 2005, a striking image rippled through Quebec’s media landscape. The cover of a special anniversary issue of La Vie en Rose — a legendary feminist magazine published from 1980 to 1987 — showed a woman in a burqa striking Marilyn Monroe’s iconic pose above a subway grate. Photographed by Suzanne Langevin, the image laid bare the discrimination and body-based stereotypes that women around the world still face every day.
Struck by the clear resonance between the spirit of La Vie en Rose and the mission of 60 million girls, a Foundation team member reached out to one of the magazine’s co-founders: journalist Ariane Émond. A meeting was arranged with 60 million girls founder Wanda Bedard. The connection was immediate.
“That first conversation with Wanda just flowed naturally,” Ariane recalls. “What I learned that morning about the mission of 60 million girls — driven entirely by volunteers — filled me with excitement. And then I discovered in Wanda this rare combination of quiet humility and electrifying charisma. I wanted to follow her lead.”
La Vie en Rose, 2005 Credit: Suzanne Langevin, Les éditions du remue-ménage
A Godmother, in every sense of the word
Ariane Émond is not your average volunteer. A journalist, broadcaster, and one of the most prominent voices in Quebec feminism, she has built her career around social issues and civic engagement. From her very first exchanges with the 60 million girls team, she naturally stepped into the role of godmother — a title she has held with pride for twenty years.
“That designation means a great deal to me,” she says. “I occasionally act as a spokesperson for the Foundation, but I mostly work on fundraising — particularly with religious communities connected to girls’ education who share feminist values. Several of them have supported us financially, year after year. They are remarkable women who have never stopped championing the full range of what we do: from girls’ empowerment and their engagement with science and technology, to that climate education dimension that has become so critical.”
That network didn’t build itself. Ariane cultivated it carefully, one conversation at a time — bridging the Foundation’s mission and communities that would not have crossed its path on their own. That is her gift: opening doors, forging connections, and amplifying a cause she believes in wholeheartedly.
“Within the volunteer team at 60 million girls, I’ve discovered over the years an inspiring group of women — and some wonderful men — from all walks of life, who give of themselves according to their expertise and availability, and with such joy. That spirit is what keeps me at 60 million girls.” — Ariane Émond
Ariane Émond, godmother of the 60 million girls Foundation for 20 years.
Taking action to mitigate uncertainty
Two decades after that first coffee meeting, Ariane looks back on the journey with clear eyes. We live, she says, in an age of contrasts: remarkable technological advances in education, but also a troubling rollback of rights. And looming over everything, the terrifying reality of climate disruption — upending the lives of the most vulnerable populations, the very communities 60 million girls works to reach.
Far from discouraged, Ariane sees this as reason to press on. She is particularly heartened by the growing role of climate action education in the Foundation’s projects — a dimension she now considers essential.
And her hopes for the future? “I hope 60 million girls continues to grow for many years to come,” she says. “And that it enables hundreds of thousands more girls — among the most marginalized on the planet — to become leaders of development and resilience in their communities.”
Twenty years in, the godmother hasn’t lost an ounce of enthusiasm. And the Foundation is very lucky to have her in its corner.
The 60 million girls Foundation is grateful for every act of generosity that keeps our mission alive. If you would like to explore how you can support girls’ education — including through a legacy gift — please visit Give now – 60 million girls.