wateryoudoing?

Creep - Radiohead

These are the names of the 14 women who were killed on this day, 26 years ago, at École Polytechnique because they dared to be educated and trained as Engineers.

They lost their lives because a fragile man, whose name deserves no mention, couldn’t dare think that women deserved to be Engineers. He viewed Engineering as the realm of men, and men alone.

He was wrong.

Many of us in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics community take time today, December 6th, to remember what happened and reflect on the work which is still required to be more inclusive for women in these fields - in all professions, really.

I say it each year: To the women currently studying and working in STEM fields. You belong here. Some days you may not feel you do. Some days your colleagues and coworkers can make the school or work environment feel toxic. It is every bit your right to be working in these fields which you love and find interesting. You are every bit as qualified and gifted. It is a better world because you persevere.