On December 6, 1989, a man entered a classroom at École Polytechnique in Montreal, Quebec, separated the male and female students, and shot all of the women in the room. At the conclusion of his 10 minute mission to “fight feminism”, 14 women were dead.

The anniversary of this massacre is now commemorated on December 6, as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. The 14 murdered women were all studying to become engineers. In a special commemoration, Girl Guides of Canada scholarship winners currently studying in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs, have told us why it is vital to have women in STEM programs.

“It is important to have women in STEM programs because it promotes successful women doing what they love especially for the STEM women who are in a field that has been commonly called “male dominated.”

— Lori Burns, NS

First Year, Science

2011 Dare Scholarship Winner

“Women bring diversity and different perspectives to STEM programs. These fresh ideas drive innovation in STEM, leading to a better world for everyone.”

— Belinda Li, BC

Post Graduate Studies, Engineering

2011 Energizer Canada “Now That’s Postivenergy”

National Science Scholarship Winner

“Without women in STEM programs, topics that relate to the well-being of women would be less likely to be researched. Furthermore, excluding half of the population from STEM programs would lead to very biased research that doesn’t truly represent the interests of Canadian society.”

— Julia Baum, BC

Second Year, Physiology

2011 GGC National Scholarship Winner

“Since the courageous ambition of the Famous Five, women have worked tirelessly to make a difference in this world. Women in sciences and emerging technologies bring a different set of attributes which foster a different way of seeing and doing things because we are women. I find it interesting that since the inception of women into these programs we have seen exponential growth in this industry, across all domains of the sciences, health and medicine, technology and engineering.”

— Joy Geizer, NS

Second Year, Science/Health Promotion

2011 GGC National Scholarship Winner

“It is important that women participate in STEM programs because we need to transcend the gender dynamics of the past. Through open and inviting inclusion of the most potent and insightful minds in the world (both female and male), we promote the most ground-breaking and remarkable designs and discoveries.”

— Delaney Boyd, AB

Post Graduate Studies, Environmental Design

2011 GGC National Scholarship Winner

“Everyone should have a career that they are passionate about. Women in STEM careers serve as inspirational role models, helping open the eyes of other young women to their own passions and making STEM careers more accessible.”

— Kaitlin Winter, ON

First Year, Science

2011 Estate of Joan Reid Scholarship Winner

“It is important to have women in STEM programs to increase your diversity and enhance your representation and empathy within the fields. Therefore you will be better equipped to serve our population.”

—- Suzanne Vienneau, ON

Third Year, Autism Behavioural Science

2011 GGC National Scholarship Winner

“I believe it is important to have women in STEM because the area of science and technology has been primarily male dominant. By having women become a part of the program not only do they learn vastly important skills but prove to themselves that they are just as capable as anyone else.”

— Micheele Steeves, BC

First Year, Marine Biology

2011 GGC National Scholarship Winner

“Educating women in science, technology, engineering, and medicine is important not only to empower women to be recognized as equals, but to increase the diversity of research and work being done in those fields. As women contribute as scientific professionals, a greater range of perspectives allows for innovative thinking and discovery.”

— Sylvia Rowat, BC

First Year, Science

2011 Energizer Canada “Now That’s Postivenergy”

National Science Scholarship Winner

“Women studying in STEM programs provide young girls with strong role models to look up to, leading them to believe they too can become accomplished in these fields. It is also beneficial to have the opportunity to ask about life as a female in the STEM fields with someone who is experienced in the field. Secondly, women may have different ways of working/thinking than men. The more diversified the work field, the better chance of great discoveries and improvements in all areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.”

— Claire McNeil, NS

Post Graduate Studies, Medicine

2011 Dr. Roberta Bondar Scholarship Winner

“In human history, women have been significantly under-represented until fairly recently. Women deserve every opportunity to show their skills and innovations, including participation in such important areas as Science, Technology, Engineering, and Medicine.”

— Eva Gorny, AB

Fourth Year, Science/Education

2011 GGC National Scholarship Winner

And here is one more we received this morning by a Guider on Twitter:

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Tell us, what steps are you taking to eliminate violence against women?

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