Professionalising motherhood: Cora Millet-Robinet and the maternal as profession

Abstract

This article presents the contributions of Cora Millet-Robinet to the education of women in their motherly role. Millet-Robinet, a well-noted published scientist of her period, broke many barriers when she became active in the silkworm industry and later became a champion of the education of genteel country women as well as farmers’ wives. This essay focuses on the ways Milllet-Robinet applied the scientific rigour she learned in the laboratory to her childcare manual, the Conseils aux jeunes femmes sur leur condition et leurs devoirs pendant l’allaitement (1841). She wanted mothers to be organised, efficient and self-reliant so that they could free themselves from domestic tasks and be able to have time for another kind of work. The cultural importance of Millet-Robinet’s work is begging for our attention, as she helped shape women’s role at home and in the workplace.