Centennial of Matchmakers’ revolt: Gatineau remembers a bold fight
Tashi Farmilo
In September 2024, the city of Gatineau will mark a significant centennial, commemorating the second major labour dispute between the women who worked in the E. B. Eddy match factories and their employer, one of North America's largest match manufacturers at the time. This historic event not only honours the resilience and courage of these women but also shines a light on the labour struggles that have shaped the identity of the Outaouais region.
From the mid-19th century to the early 20th century, hundreds of women toiled under arduous conditions in the E. B. Eddy factory. The factory was a major player in the match industry, providing essential goods to a rapidly industrializing continent. However, the factory’s prosperity came at a high cost to its workers, who faced gruelling hours, low pay, and dangerous working conditions, including exposure to toxic chemicals used in match production.
The matchmakers, as they came to be known, were instrumental in the labour movement in the region. Their struggles were not just about wages and hours but also about basic human dignity. The women organized and fought back against their employer in two notable labour disputes, the second of which occurred a century ago and is the focus of the upcoming commemorative events.
This centennial commemoration, organized by the City of Gatineau, is set to be a comprehensive program, with events designed to educate, engage, and inspire the community. The centrepiece of the program is a series of guided tours, theatrical performances, and exhibitions that delve into the history of the matchmakers.
The Symmes Inn Museum is hosting an exhibition titled "The History of Match Makers" until October 27, offering a deep dive into the lives and struggles of the women who worked in Hull's match factory. This exhibition, along with a guided tour on August 25, 2024, will give visitors a rare chance to explore the historical sites of these labour battles and understand the context that fuelled the matchmakers' fight for better working conditions.
Throughout September, the Island Theatre will feature a series of travelling performances, "Portage in Time of the Matchmakers," vividly portraying the matchmakers' daily struggles. Additionally, Ciné Jonction will screen the documentary "The Matchmakers" on September 21, followed by a public performance on September 27 as part of the "Without Fire or Place" residence. The commemoration will continue in November at the Gatineau Cultural Centre with an exhibition running until January 2025, showcasing archives to preserve the legacy of these courageous women for future generations.
For more information, visit: https://www.gatineau.ca/portail/default.aspx?p=activites_evenements_idees_sorties/allumettieres_100_ans_apres.
Photo caption: Gatineau is commemorating the centennial of the historic labour struggles of the E. B. Eddy matchmakers with a series of events and exhibitions highlighting their fight for better working conditions.
Photo credit: Courtesy of City of Gatineau
