A Woman of Valour is the biography of Marie-Louise Bouchard Labelle, a French-Canadian woman who found love with a priest thirty-three years her senior. Against all social convention, they lived, produced three children, and built a life together after fleeing their village.However, after several years together, Bouchard’s husband ultimately chose to return to the priesthood, abandoning his family as a result. Through interviews and documentation, Claire Trépanier tells Bouchard’s story of survival while highlighting the history of women’s stature in Canada, and raising a question about the celibacy of Catholic priests.
Claire Trépanier lives in Ottawa. Her interest in travel, teaching, and international development led her to participate in the conception and co-creation of the TV series Gens d’ici, Gens d’ailleurs, which aired on TCV Outaouais from September to December 1999. A Woman of Valour is a testimony to her admiration of women's resilience, courage, and dynamic spirit.