Madeleine Giguère, a long-time advocate for Franco-Americans and their heritage, worked as a sociologist at the University of Southern Maine in Portland for many years, during which time she conducted essential research on many aspects of Franco-American life.

Giguère was known as the "Marianne" (godmother) by many Franco-Americans. She was also instrumental in establishing USM's Franco-American Collection, the largest resource of its kind in Maine.