Born: 26 August 1827, France
Died: 1921
Country most active: France
Also known as: Nathalie Duval
The following bio was written by Emma Rosen, author of On This Day She Made History: 366 Days With Women Who Shaped the World and This Day In Human Ingenuity & Discovery: 366 Days of Scientific Milestones with Women in the Spotlight, and has been republished with permission.
Nathalie Lemel embodied the spirit of a militant anarchist and dedicated feminist. She bravely stood on the barricades during the 1871 Commune de Paris and was deported later to Nouvelle Calédonie with Louise Michel.
Born in Brest, Brittany, she ventured from her parents’ café to become a bookbinder after schooling. Marriage to Jérôme Lemel led to a bookshop in Quimper. Challenges emerged, resulting in Nathalie moving to Paris alone with her children in pursuit of work.
Mastering bookbinding and trade, she transitioned to a resolute socialist activist. Amid Europe’s social upheaval, she joined the First International in 1865, advocating wage equality and co-creating cooperative projects.
Throughout the Commune, Nathalie’s fervor continued. She spoke at women’s clubs, played a key role in establishing the Women’s Union for Defense of Paris, and remained steadfast on the barricades during tumultuous times.
She was exiled to Nouvelle-Calédonie and shared a cell with Louise Michel, surviving hardship and influencing change. Amnesty in 1880 saw her return to Paris, where she contributed to L’Intransigeant and tirelessly fought for women’s rights.
Nathalie passed away in 1921 in Ivry-sur-Seine. Her legacy thrives—a Parisian square, streets, and a mural in Brest celebrate her. Nathalie Lemel’s journey is a beacon, inspiring equality and change.