One by one, students, faculty, and staff step forward in silence, each placing a single rose beneath Dalhousie Engineering鈥檚 Tree of Remembrance. It鈥檚 a crisp, quiet evening over the university鈥檚 Sexton Campus, as members of the community gather to honour the 14 women who lost their lives in the 脡cole Polytechnique massacre on December 6, 1989.
鈥淲hen I first learned about the 脡cole Polytechnique massacre, I understood it as a tragic event in history,鈥� says Molly Richardson, this year鈥檚 co-president of Dalhousie鈥檚 Women in Engineering Society (WiE). Now, as a fourth-year Engineering student, she says December 6 has taken on a much deeper, more personal meaning for her.
Each year, members of WiE lead the Remembrance and Resilience Ceremony, honouring the victims with roses, reading their names aloud, and creating a moment to reflect on the resilience of women in engineering. Similar ceremonies are held on engineering campuses across the country at 5 p.m. AST each December 6 to honour the victims of the 脡cole Polytechnique murders.
鈥淒ecember 6th serves as a serious reminder of the very real consequences of misogyny and gender bias, and of the work we must do to ensure engineering is a safe, inclusive space for everyone,鈥� says Richardson. 鈥淣ot only is it a day of remembrance, but it is also a call to action to honour the 14 women who lost their lives in this tragic event.鈥�
A tragedy that still resonates today
On December 6, 1989, a gunman walked into 脡cole Polytechnique in Montreal, armed and intent on targeting women. He separated men from women in a classroom, singling out female engineering students, and opened fire. Fourteen women were killed that day, and another dozen people were injured.
In the wake of the tragedy, the day was designated the , observed across the country to honour the lives lost and reflect on the ongoing impact of gender-based violence. At Dalhousie, the day is also recgoznied as part of the聽16 Days of Activism, a wider campaign focused on bringing an end to gender-based violence.
Learn more:聽16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence
Within the engineering community and beyond, December 6 has come to serve as a solemn reminder that the work toward equality and equity is never complete.
鈥淲omen in engineering continue to face challenges such as being underrepresented, gender bias and lack of mentors and role models,鈥� says Richardson. 鈥淎s a student, I see firsthand how the absence of women in faculty roles can impact confidence and belonging.
鈥淭he ceremony serves as a moment of reflection on the systemic issues that perpetuate gender inequality in engineering. It reminds us not only of the tragedy that occurred, but of our responsibility to continue advocating for safer, more inclusive, and more accessible spaces for women in engineering.鈥�
Remembering the victims
And so, each year, the community gathers in the Irving Oil Auditorium on Sexton Campus to remember. Twelve Dalhousie engineering students, one nursing student, and one administrative staff member take turns each blowing out a single candle. Each women represents one of the victims who lost their lives in the 脡cole Polytechnique massacre.
Participants also place a white rose beneath the Tree of Remembrance on Sexton Campus. It鈥檚 a quiet, powerful tribute to victims, whose legacy continue to inspire change and action within the engineering community.
While solemn, the ceremony also serves as a strong call to action.
鈥淚 want every woman in engineering to know that she has a place in this profession. No matter your background or lived experience, there is space for you here at Dalhousie Engineering,鈥� says Richardson. 鈥淢y hope is that this ceremony inspires students to support one another, to take risks, to push their boundaries, and truly own their spot in this program.鈥�
Finding community and connection
Richardson first joined WiE to find her place on campus and to connect with more women in the engineering program. 鈥淲hat started as an extracurricular has now turned into my passion,鈥� she says.
This year, she stepped into the role of co-president, alongside Emma Deveau, with the hope of expanding professional development and enrichment opportunities for women in engineering.
鈥淲ith Engineers Canada's 30 by 30 initiative in mind, I hope WiE can be an asset to the recruitment and retention of women in the Dalhousie Engineering program and as they enter their professional careers.鈥�
Molly Richardson (left) with her fellow Women in Engineering co-presiden Emma Deveau
She says it鈥檚 been one of the most enriching experiences of her university journey so far.
鈥淏eing a part of WiE has shaped the way I think about gender equity in engineering. It has shown me how welcoming, supportive and resilient women in the engineering community are,鈥�
鈥淒espite being underrepresented, there is a strong sense of connection and friendship, and I'm grateful to be part of it,鈥� she adds. 鈥淎nd remembering the fourteen women whose lives were lost makes my work with WiE feel even more meaningful.鈥�
On December 6th, we remember:
Genevi猫ve Bergeron聽
H茅l猫ne Colgan聽
Nathalie Croteau聽
Barbara Daigneault聽
Anne-Marie Edward聽
Maud Haviernick聽
Maryse Lagani猫re聽
Maryse Leclair聽
Anne-Marie Lemay聽
Sonia Pelletier聽
Mich猫le Richard聽
Annie St-Arneault聽
Annie Turcotte聽
Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz