1934–1935: (Sylvain’s Nonpartisan Reformism and the Turn to Education — Sylvain Expressing That the LFAS Did Not Intend to Enact Laws or Undermine the Power …

1934–1935: (Sylvain’s Nonpartisan Reformism and the Turn to Education — Sylvain Expressing That the LFAS Did Not Intend to Enact Laws or Undermine the Power of the Nation but Only to Collaborate in Social Progress by Bringing Loyal and Nonaligned Assistance to the Government, Articulating Feminism as a Political Gesture That Could Be Adopted by Any Group Rather Than a Hardened Political Movement, the LFAS Turning to Education Publication and Publicity — Establishing Night Schools in Saint-Antoine and Saint-Anne with One Hundred Students by November 1934, Starting a Girl Scout Troop Implementing Regular Social Surveys Establishing a Legislation Committee to Study Women’s Position Under the Law, Regular Visits to Women in Orphanages Mental Health Asylums and the Penitentiary, Some Initiatives Supported by Résia Vincent the President’s Sister): Sylvain articulated a nonpartisan, reformist agenda — the LFAS did not intend to enact laws or make plans that would undermine the power of the nation or exceed their possibilities and aspirations, but only wished to collaborate in social progress by bringing loyal and nonaligned assistance to the Government. LFAS women framed feminism as a political gesture that could be adopted by any political group rather than a hardened, threatening movement. Over the following decade, this wayfaring often left them under attack from multiple sides. As these concepts were funneled through political practice, LFAS members turned to education, publication, and publicity. After the summer workshops, the organizational focus was women’s education — scholastic, civic, social, and sexual. In October the women established a night school for women’s illiteracy training in Saint-Antoine, continuing the work of the initial LFAS which had established a night school in Saint-Anne. By November 1934, the LFAS counted one hundred students between the two schools. Madeleine Sylvain also started a Girl Scout troop, implemented regular social surveys regarding women’s role in society, established the Legislation committee to study women’s position under the law, and established regular visits to women residents in orphanages, mental health asylums, and the penitentiary. Some initiatives, like educational courses for women and children in prison, were supported by Résia Vincent, President Vincent’s sister.