Alphonse Desjardins

By implementing his dream of the caisses populaires, Alphonse Desjardins helped fight the cycle of poverty in French Canada. Raised in a poor family, he understood a key dilemma facing the traditional, agriculture-based economy of Quebec. Banks preferred to lend to large companies, resulting in a shortage of capital for farmers and small businesses struggling to expand. For years, Desjardins — an ardent Catholic and active citizen in his community — dedicated every hour of his free time to building support for a cooperative movement that would reinvest the savings of members in the local economy. His dream came true in 1900.