The « Donnefort » neighborhood council wished to name the square located on Avenue Léon Blum, colloquially called « square du Chiquito » after the nearby bar. This initiative is part of a broader effort to feminize the names of public spaces in the City of Agen.
This year's objective was to honor a female scientist, aligning with the National Education's priority program « Couleur pourpre », aimed at encouraging young girls to pursue scientific fields and careers. A working group from the Jean-Baptiste De Baudre high school, comprising students from seven second and first-year classes, conducted documentary research and collective reflection to identify notable female scientists.
Seven name proposals were put to a vote among the high school students. Following a communication campaign and the creation of audio presentations by each group, Jeanne Villepreux-Power emerged as the winner with 25% of the 800 votes cast (a 51% participation rate).
Jeanne Villepreux-Power (born September 25, 1794 in Juillac, Corrèze, and died January 25, 1871 in the same commune) was a self-taught French naturalist, a pioneer in marine biology, and the inventor of the first aquarium. She is recognized as a precursor to marine biology stations and was the first woman admitted to the Academy of Sciences of Catania.
