We are excited to welcome Lewiston native and former mayor Paul Dionne to discuss his books. Dionne graduated from Providence College where he received his bachelor’s degree in history then was commissioned a Lieutenant in the United States Army (1966-1968). He saw action in Vietnam as an advisor to a Vietnamese Armored Cavalry unit and was decorated with two Bronze Stars, two Vietnamese Crosses of Gallantry, and was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge. After his discharge he returned to Maine and attended the University of Maine Law School where he received a Juris Doctorate degree. He practiced law in Maine, was elected as Mayor of Lewiston (1980-1984).  He served as the Workers Compensation Commissioner under two Governors, the Honorable Angus King and the Honorable John Baldacci.  While holding this position, he was elected President of the International Association of Industrial Accidents Boards and Commissions. He is married to Diane Leblanc Dionne and has two children, Melodie and Michelle and five grandchildren Merissa, Michael, Olivia, Charlotte and Brennan.  He currently resides in Auburn, Maine.

Dionne has written two novels, The Priestess and The Pope and Madeleine’s Inquisition, both with the basic theme that the religious subordination of one sex to the other is wrong. Dionne will discuss these books and talk about his research process, as well as the influence of his Franco-American background on his writing.  Following his presentation, there will be a Q & A session with the audience.

There is no fee for our programs, which are made possible by the Québec Delegation in Boston and Androscoggin Home Health. 

This event will be hybrid! You are invited to join us in-person at the Franco-American Collection at 51 Westminster Street in Lewiston, room 170, or online via Zoom. Register here for the Zoom link:   https://maine.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZctf-qvqTMoEtCnO5nnLYrmeIbTiryyJflv. 

For more information or to register for in-person attendance, contact the FAC archivist, Anna Faherty at anna.faherty@maine.edu or by phone (207) 753-6545. If you have questions about disability access or need to request disability accommodations (e.g. sign language interpreters, materials in electronic format, etc.), please contact Anna Faherty at anna.faherty@maine.edu. Requests should be made as soon as possible to allow sufficient time for the accommodation process.