Red Roses on White Snow

Across the country, Canadians took a moment to remember the 14 women killed at l’École Polytechnique on December 6, 1989:

Anne St-Arneault, 23
Geneviève Bergeron, 21
Hélène Colgan, 23
Nathalie Croteau, 23
Barbara Daigneault, 22
Anne-Marie Edward, 21
Maud Haviernick, 29
Barbara Klueznick, 31
Maryse Laganière, 25
Maryse Leclair, 23
Anne-Marie Lemay, 22
Sonia Pelletier, 23
Michèle Richard, 21
Annie Turcotte, 21

In my travels, I've been privileged to attend Dec 6th memorials at three different Universities. While I am not an engineer myself, I have always been impressed by the engineering students who organize these vigils. I am especially touched by the growing numbers of male students who attend and don the white ribbon--pledging to "never commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women and girls."

There are so many ways to honour, to grieve, and to remember our lost sisters. Candles, roses, or even a simple moment of silence. Just this morning, I was thinking about the first time I attended a ceremony at McMaster, last December. Fourteen red-roses were laid before the commemorative stone in front of the Engineering building ("JHE" as it's known). I remembered that I'd wished I'd had a photo of the roses. Today I remembered my camera:


My beautiful sisters: I wish I could find the words to honour you properly. Please know that you are not forgotten.