Member-only story

How French Convicts Became Founding Mothers of the Gulf Coast

Kevin Turner

·16.7k Followers· Follow

Published in Mutinous Women: How French Convicts Became Founding Mothers Of The Gulf Coast

4 min read

725 View Claps

38 Respond

Save

Listen

Mutinous Women: How French Convicts Became Founding Mothers of the Gulf Coast

by Ibram X. Kendi

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	28060 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	449 pages

In the mid-18th century, hundreds of women were arrested in the streets of Paris and sentenced to exile in the French colony of Louisiana. These women, known as the Filles à la Cassette, played a vital role in the early development of the Gulf Coast region.

Who Were the Filles à la Cassette?

The Filles à la Cassette were a group of women who were arrested in the streets of Paris for a variety of offenses, including prostitution, vagrancy, and theft. They were sentenced to exile in Louisiana, where they were expected to marry and become the wives of French colonists. Many of the women were young and single, and most had no criminal record prior to their arrest.

The Voyage to Louisiana

The Filles à la Cassette were transported to Louisiana on a series of ships. The voyage was long and arduous, and many of the women died en route. Those who survived were often sick and malnourished. When they arrived in Louisiana, they were met with hostility from the male colonists. The women were seen as a threat to the colony's social order, and many were forced into prostitution.

Life in Louisiana

Despite the challenges they faced, the Filles à la Cassette gradually began to establish a new life in Louisiana. They married French colonists, and many of them had children. They also played a vital role in the development of the colony's economy. They worked as domestics, seamstresses, and nurses. They also helped to cultivate the land and raise livestock.

The Legacy of the Filles à la Cassette

The Filles à la Cassette made a significant contribution to the early development of the Gulf Coast region. They were the wives and mothers of many of the region's early settlers, and they helped to shape the culture and traditions of the region. The Filles à la Cassette are a reminder of the strength and resilience of women, and their story is a testament to the power of human potential.

The story of the Filles à la Cassette is a fascinating and complex one. It is a story of crime and punishment, loss and redemption. It is a story of the indomitable spirit of women who overcame adversity to create a new life for themselves and their families.

Mutinous Women: How French Convicts Became Founding Mothers of the Gulf Coast

by Ibram X. Kendi

4.4 out of 5