Sapna Natarajan鈥檚 journey through Dal Engineering has been one marked by opportunity, support and lasting friendships. Now in her final year, she says she has a lot of be grateful for, including the chance to attend international conferences with Dalhousie鈥檚 (WIE), a series of successful co-op placements, and memories that鈥檒l stay with her long after she graduates.
Sapna acknowledges how fortunate she鈥檚 been. Yet, she also approaches her journey with deep appreciation, especially as December 6th approaches 鈥� a day forever etched in Canadian history as a solemn reminder of gender-based violence.聽
On that day in 1989, in Montreal, separating the male and female students before opening fire on the women. Fourteen women were killed, their lives cut short because of their gender. The victims were students and staff members, all with bright futures ahead of them. Their deaths were a direct result of gender-based hatred and their legacy has since become a rallying cry for gender equality.
鈥淭he event brings up a wave of emotions: sadness for the lives lost, anger at the injustice, and confusion about why such hatred exists,鈥� says Sapna, who serves as vice president with WiE. 鈥淎t the same time, it serves as a powerful reminder to keep going. It strengthens our resolve to make engineering a welcoming field for everyone and to honour the resilience of those who paved the way for us.鈥�
Thirty-five years later, people across the country continue to gather and remember the tragic events, including WIE, which Friday (Dec. 6). In 1991, the Government of Canada established Dec.6 as the .
This week鈥檚 ceremony provides a moment for the 黑料吃瓜网community to reflect on the lives of the fourteen women who were lost.
Sapna at last year's vigil. (Nick Pearce photo)
Gender equity
Despite the progress made since 1989, women in engineering still face significant challenges, including implicit bias and underrepresentation in the field. At 黑料吃瓜网Engineering, women currently represent only 23 per cent of the student population. To address this, WIE is dedicated to increasing female participation through initiatives such as their annual event, which introduces junior high and high school students to engineering.
In Sapna鈥檚 experience, while overt sexism may not always be present in the classroom, subtle microaggressions can be common. She describes situations in group activities where, as sometimes the only woman in the group, her opinions are sometimes overlooked.
鈥淥ne thing I鈥檝e learned is that you have to be loud and make sure you are heard,鈥� she points out. Despite these small challenges, they don鈥檛 hold her back. Though women remain a minority in the field, they form a strong and influential group at 黑料吃瓜网Engineering. Many lead student societies, head student design teams, and earn top awards within the Faculty.
鈥淲e now see more women entering the field, more allies supporting gender equity, and more conversations about diversity and inclusion,鈥� says Sapna.聽 鈥淏ut the obstacles we face remind us of the importance of events like this memorial to shed light on these issues and encourage change.鈥�
鈥淭his memorial empowers us to take up space and make our voices heard,鈥� she adds. 鈥淚t inspires current and future generations to persist in the face of challenges, to advocate for themselves and others, and to contribute to a world where engineering is truly for everyone.鈥�
Sapna serves as vice president of the Women in Engineering society at Dalhousie.
A ceremony of remembrance
The Remembrance and Resilience ceremony will take place this Friday at 5 p.m. in the Irving Oil Auditorium of the Richard Murray design Building.
During the vigil, twelve 黑料吃瓜网engineering students, one nursing student, and one administrative staff member will each take turns blowing out a single candle. Each woman will then be presented with a white rose 鈥� symbolizing the fourteen lives lost in the Montreal Massacre. The roses will be placed beneath the Tree of Remembrance on Dalhousie鈥檚 Sexton Campus, a tribute to those whose legacy continues to inspire change.
On December 6th, we will remember:
Genevi猫ve Bergeron
H茅l猫ne Colgan
Nathalie Croteau
Barbara Daigneault
Anne-Marie Edward
Maud Haviernick
Maryse Lagani猫re
Maryse Leclair
Anne-Marie Lemay
Sonia Pelletier
Mich猫le Richard
Annie St-Arneault
Annie Turcotte
Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz