Sapna Natarajan’s 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’s Women in Engineering society (WIE), a series of successful co-op placements, and memories that’ll stay with her long after she graduates.
Sapna acknowledges how fortunate she’s been. Yet, she also approaches her journey with deep appreciation, especially as December 6th approaches — a day forever etched in Canadian history as a solemn reminder of gender-based violence.
On that day in 1989, a gunman entered an engineering classroom at École Polytechnique 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.
“The event brings up a wave of emotions: sadness for the lives lost, anger at the injustice, and confusion about why such hatred exists,” says Sapna, who serves as vice president with WiE. “At 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.”
Thirty-five years later, people across the country continue to gather and remember the tragic events, including WIE, which will host its annual remembrance and resilience memorial service Friday (Dec. 6). In 1991, the Government of Canada established Dec.6 as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.
This week’s ceremony provides a moment for the Dalhousie 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 Dalhousie 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 Go Eng Girl event, which introduces junior high and high school students to engineering.
In Sapna’s 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.
“One thing I’ve learned is that you have to be loud and make sure you are heard,” she points out. Despite these small challenges, they don’t hold her back. Though women remain a minority in the field, they form a strong and influential group at Dalhousie Engineering. Many lead student societies, head student design teams, and earn top awards within the Faculty.
“We now see more women entering the field, more allies supporting gender equity, and more conversations about diversity and inclusion,” says Sapna. “But the obstacles we face remind us of the importance of events like this memorial to shed light on these issues and encourage change.”
“This memorial empowers us to take up space and make our voices heard,” she adds. “It 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.”
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 Dalhousie 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 — symbolizing the fourteen lives lost in the Montreal Massacre. The roses will be placed beneath the Tree of Remembrance on Dalhousie’s Sexton Campus, a tribute to those whose legacy continues to inspire change.
On December 6th, we will remember:
Geneviève Bergeron
Hélène Colgan
Nathalie Croteau
Barbara Daigneault
Anne-Marie Edward
Maud Haviernick
Maryse Laganière
Maryse Leclair
Anne-Marie Lemay
Sonia Pelletier
Michèle Richard
Annie St-Arneault
Annie Turcotte
Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz