Born and raised in Troyes, France, in 1653 Marguerite Bourgeoys came as a new recruit to de Maisonneuve''s tiny and beleaguered settlement of Ville-Marie, founded in 1642 as a Christian missionary society. These early years in New France marked a special period in her life. Firmly committed to the belief that the world would be a better place if people learned to understand one another, she worked to build a better church and a better society, especially for women and children. Marguerite Bourgeoys''s life story teaches us about tolerance and compassion, ideals that are no less important now than three centuries ago.