Magalie Marcelin (1962 – January 12, 2010) was a Haitian feminist, lawyer and actress.

While still in her teens, she performed with a theatre group which used the stage as a medium to raise issues about women's rights and social justice. Marcelin was expelled by the government of Jean-Claude Duvalier. She was sent to Venezuela, came to Montreal in 1981 and studied law. Marcelin returned to Haiti after Duvalier's departure in 1986.[1][2]

In 1987, she established Kay Fanm (Women's House), a shelter for battered women and women's rights organization. She also helped ensure that women in legal difficulties related to gender-based violence received a fair trial, working pro bono. Marcelin worked as a consultant for a number of development projects. In 1997, she helped organize an international tribunal in Haiti dealing with violence against women.[1][3][2]

Marcelin appeared in the films Haiti in all our dreams and Anita.[3]

She was the godparent of the daughter of former Canadian Governor General Michaëlle Jean.[4]

Marcelin died at the age of 47 at Port-au-Prince in the 2010 Haiti earthquake.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Magalie Marcelin". Common Dreams. February 17, 2010.
  2. 1 2 "Magalie Marcelin (1962-2010)" (in French). Observatoire sur le développement régional et l'analyse différenciée selon les sexes. January 21, 2010.
  3. 1 2 "Three inspirational women". CARE Australia. March 8, 2010.
  4. ↑ "Le défi de Michaëlle Jean". Gazette des Femmes (in French). November 1, 2010.
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