Commemoration

Remembering the 14

The 1989 massacre at L’École Polytechnique sparked my life work towards increasing inclusion and belonging in engineering. I realized that again at the DAWEG breakfast last week.

On December 6, 2024, I attended a sold-out commemorative event arranged by DAWEG Victoria. Bridget had told me that knowledge of the massacre is fading away in engineering; this event would be an opportunity to highlight the atrocity that depicts the ongoing cultural oppression of women in engineering.

This post simply presents the words of attendees who shared the impact of the massacre on their lives.

Theme 1: parental career guidance negatively impacted

My parents discouraged me from entering engineering…for fear of my safety.

My family were shocked that I went into engineering.

My mom, who was in engineering at the time of the massacre, was afraid for me [her daughter] when I entered engineering last year.

My uncle and grandfather were engineers but that was not discussed [as an option for me]

The massacre is never talked about at university —  students need to hear about this

Note: most BC institutions have commemorative events on or around December 6th. However, this comment is interesting in that the individual did not know about them.

Theme 2: strength to pioneers

[As an immigrant], coming from a long line of engineers, men and women, I fight to be heard and taken seriously in engineering.

Young engineering women need to be strong, make their voices heard, stand up for their rights and values.

Theme 3: dismay & shock that misogynistic behaviour still occurs in engineering today

Even in my workplace, I see examples [of behaviour] that are not right

I witness constant injustices against women.

Please speak up if you see things happening that are just not right. Your voice of privilege will be heard — and will help those who are being marginalized.