Henriette Tilly

Henriette Tilly (19th century-20th century), was a French seamstress, anarchist and anarcho-syndicalist activist. Close to syndicalist circles, she became the treasurer or president of the Comité Féminin, the most significant anarcha-feminist organization in Paris in the early 1910s.

She is also known, alongside Jane Morand, for having greatly influenced the anarchist cooperative Le Cinéma du Peuple, which she helped found, in its focus on feminist themes. Her influence enabled the creation of the first feminist film in history, Les Misères de l’aiguille.

Biography Henriette Tilly was a seamstress in Paris, where she resided at 46 Avenue d'Allemagne. Her partner was Maxime Masson, and notably exchanged several letters with Pierre Monatte, with whom she appeared to be close.

In 1913, Tilly first participated in the intentional community of the Milieu Libre de la Pie, of the Comité Féminin, the most significant feminist and revolutionary group in Paris at the time, This cooperative was dedicated to producing anarchist films, This feminist push culminated in the production of the first feminist film in history, Les Misères de l’aiguille.

She opposed France's entry into World War I and stood firmly against the war. In 1914, Tilly wrote to Pierre Monatte to congratulate him for resigning from his position in this context.