The Joséphine association was founded in 2006 by a hairdresser, Lucia Iraci, who had the innovative idea at the time to use her profession to help women struggling with their life journeys to lift their heads, rebuild themselves, and move forward by providing them with care, first in her Paris salon, then in various associations, before creating a dedicated salon in the Barbès district of Paris. Other salons followed, supported by local associations eager to develop the concept, thus giving rise to a true network.
Why support women? Because precariousness affects them more severely and durably. 70% of the working poor are women. They face multiple factors that keep them in difficult situations: isolation after a family separation, divorce, domestic violence…
The Joséphine association provides a wide range of wellness services, including hairdressing, aesthetics, image consulting, sophrology, reflexology, psychological support, as well as fostering connections through collective workshops where women can share their skills. They also learn to take care of themselves.
A research project launched in 2018 has also helped establish a certain legitimacy for the actions taken and to advocate strongly that today these wellness services are essential to meet the fundamental needs of women.
"The women we receive talk about beauty more as an expression of inner well-being that comes from self-confidence,” explains Nadège Moniez. “Then, there is a very strong relational dimension. Ultimately, beauty is only considered through the eyes of others or in relation to others, meaning that we cannot value ourselves if others do not recognize us as complete individuals. Many women tell us that we are beautiful when we are not alone.”
“We are far from just physical appearance,” emphasizes Nadège Moniez. “We are addressing fundamental needs such as self-respect and self-confidence.”
The proof: 84% of the women who come to Joséphine say they have regained their self-confidence. More than half of them, after their experience at Joséphine, re-enroll in job or training programs, and 80% report having taken steps towards better health.
