Nicole Roy is a founding member of a group first known as Groupe monoparental de Hearst "Une pour Deux" and was, at one time, the association’s chairperson. The group was established in 1979 to promote the economic independence of women. In 1982, it changed its name to l’Association Parmi-Elles.
To achieve its goals and enhance the situation of economically disadvantaged women, Parmi-Elles wanted to improve the job market for women in Hearst and the area. Its efforts led to the founding of La Maison Verte, a greenhouse enterprise specializing in the production of trees for reforestation. The project went ahead with the support of government subsidies and of local investors. This non-profit organization then signed a contract with the Ministry of Natural Resources of Ontario, guarantying that the ministry would buy all its black spruce production, during its first five years of existence. The operations of La Maison Verte began in 1983. Since then, the organization has continued to develop and grow as a social enterprise, providing employment to several women and playing an important role in the economy of the region. For its part, Parmi-Elles still works at promoting the wellbeing of women in the region.
1979-1983, 2002