The organization had been founded in France during the Great Depression as a means to revitalize rural youth, since the First World War had depopulated the countryside and sent many young people to urban areas.

The organization recognized the isolation of rural populations and attempted to bring youth back to religion and moral lives by assisting them through the development of educational opportunity and recreational activities.

[9][6][10] Marchand was honoured in 1984 with the Governor General's Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case for her contributions to women's rights and social work.

[6] She was granted an honorary doctorate in social work from the Université de Sherbrooke in 1987, by Pierre Martel, who in his remarks stated that she had changed the collective consciousness of Québécois on how women should be perceived and how they could behave.

AFÉAS created the Prix Azilda Marchand to recognize those with exemplary contributions in social work and women's rights.