For 45 minutes on Dec. 6, 1989 an enraged gunman roamed the corridors of Montreal's École Polytechnique and killed 14 women. Marc Lepine, 25, separated the men from the women and before opening fire on the classroom of female engineering students he screamed, "I hate feminists." Almost immediately, the Montreal Massacre became a galvanizing moment in which mourning turned into outrage about all violence against women.
December 6 is a day to remember the horrific events when a man took his anger out on 14 innocent women simply because of their sex. He was denied admittance into this school, but women were allowed. Every year at this time is a moment for Canadian citizens to reflect on the violence that has been inflicted on women over generations. It is important that the sacrifice of these 14 women and many others like them never be forgotten. They never did anything wrong. They were just living their life and were killed because of their gender. We must never forget that things like this happen all over the world every year.
* Geneviève Bergeron 21, civil engineering student.
* Hélène Colgan 23, mechanical engineering student.
* Nathalie Croteau 23, mechanical engineering student.
* Barbara Daigneault 22, mechanical engineering student.
* Anne-Marie Edward 21, chemical engineering student.
* Maud Haviernick, 29, materials engineering student.
* Maryse Laganière 25, budget clerk in the École Polytechnique's finance department.
* Maryse Leclair 23, materials engineering student.
* Anne-Marie Lemay 27, mechanical engineering student.
* Sonia Pelletier 23, mechanical engineering student.
* Michèle Richard 21, materials engineering student.
* Annie St-Arneault 23, mechanical engineering student.
* Annie Turcotte 21, materials engineering student.
* Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz 31, nursing student.
* Geneviève Bergeron 21, civil engineering student.
* Hélène Colgan 23, mechanical engineering student.
* Nathalie Croteau 23, mechanical engineering student.
* Barbara Daigneault 22, mechanical engineering student.
* Anne-Marie Edward 21, chemical engineering student.
* Maud Haviernick, 29, materials engineering student.
* Maryse Laganière 25, budget clerk in the École Polytechnique's finance department.
* Maryse Leclair 23, materials engineering student.
* Anne-Marie Lemay 27, mechanical engineering student.
* Sonia Pelletier 23, mechanical engineering student.
* Michèle Richard 21, materials engineering student.
* Annie St-Arneault 23, mechanical engineering student.
* Annie Turcotte 21, materials engineering student.
* Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz 31, nursing student.
In 2011 it will 22 years since this horrific violence took place. They were all so young. Many younger than I am now. Just imagine what contributions they could have made to society if they had only been given a chance. Imagine what all women who are being killed, raped, beaten, and oppressed would be capable of if only given a chance.
Powerful post.
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting this. These women were my peers. I'm shaking right now. Dec 6 is a memorable day for me already - both good (nephew's birthday and happy event anniversay) and sad day, too. I will to remember this day - powerful, as Vasilly says.
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting this - I'd never heard of this tragedy before. It's definitely a moment that must be remembered - in order to honor the lives of those women.
ReplyDelete