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Michaelle Jean's Birth
On September 6, 1957, Michaelle Jean was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Her mother was Luce Depestre, and her father was Roger Jean. -
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Michaelle Jean
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Primary Education
Because of dictatorship in Haiti at the time, Michaelle's parents did not want her to go to a public school. As a result of that, she was homeschooled. Her father was a teacher and a principal for a protestant private school. EXACT DATE NOT KNOWN -
Immigrating To Canada
In 1967, Michaelle Jean`s father emigrated to Canada. Exact date not known -
Immigrating To Canada
In 1968, a year after her father came to Canada, Michaelle Jean, her mother and her sister traveled to Canada and moved to Thetford Mine, Quebec. EXACT DATE NOT KNOWN -
Family Relationships and Racism
Michaelle Jean soon starts to realize the amount of rascism in Quebec.
At about the same time, the marriage between her mother and father began to fall apart as her father became violent and distant. As a result, she, her mother and her sister move to a basement apartment in Montreal. EXACT DATE NOT KNOWN -
High School and University Education
After graduating from high school, Michaelle Jean attended several universities including the University of Montreal and the University of Florence. Because of her background and University Education, she can speak and read five languages. EXACT DATE NOT KNOWN -
Contributions During University
She worked in shelters for abused women and helped set up a chain of shelters for battered women around Quebec. EXACT DATE NOT KNOWN -
Early Jobs
Michaelle Jean becaame a reporter and broadcaster for Radio Canada. As a part of this, she also hosted shows focusing on public affairs like Actuel, Montréal ce soir, Virages, and Le Point. EXACT DATE NOT KNOWN EXACT DATE NOT KNOWN -
Recognition and Awards through Film
Jean assisted with productions of award-winning documentaries by her husband, filmmaker Jean-Daniel Lafond. The documentaries include:
-Tropique Nord, about the black experience in Quebec
-Haiti dans tous nos rêves EXACT DATE NOT KNOWN
-L'heure de Cuba, -
Michaelle Jean is Married
Michaelle Jean was married to Jean-Daniel Lafond in 1992. EXACT DATE NOT KNOWN -
Michaelle Jean's Family
Michaelle Jean adopted a daughter, Marie-Eden, who was born in 1999.
EXACT DATE NOT KNOWN -
CBC News Productions and Recognition
She worked in French and English CBC broadcasts and shows, while gaining fame as a prominent figure. EXACT DATE NOT KNOWN -
Shows/ Media
Jean created and hosted her own show, Michaelle, and at the same time anchored RDI`s Grand Reportages. EXACT DATE NOT KNOWN -
Michaelle Jean Becomes Governor General
Jean was...
-the first Governor General of Caribbean descent
-third woman to be governer general
-fourth youngest
-fourth former journalist
-second to be not of political or military heritage -
Michaelle Jean After Resigning
Today, Michaelle Jean is still contributing to Canada and Haiti. On November 8th, 2010, she became a "special envoy" for Haiti, via the UN, with a focus on fighting poverty and promoting education and culture.
The Michaëlle Jean Foundation was created to promote education, culture, and creativity for the younger generation in places like small, northern and poor communities. EXACT DATE NOT KNOWN
