Josèphe-Louise Charpentier

Josèphe-Louise Charpentier, born in 1937 in Fort-de-France, Martinique, reflects a cultural tradition where giving a masculine name to a girl is believed to bring good fortune. This unique naming practice is rooted in local beliefs, particularly associated with the mortality of children, and is part of a broader phenomenon where approximately 10% of individuals in Martinique carry gender non-traditional names. Her name embodies her parents' deep devotion, specifically her mother Marcelle's affection for the biblical figure, Saint Joseph.