In a poignant act of remembrance and commitment to the future, Montreal's École Polytechnique has announced a significant expansion of its commemorative scholarship initiative. The school will now provide financial support to 14 women enrolled in engineering programs, directly honouring the 14 women whose lives were taken in the devastating anti-feminist attack on December 6, 1989.
A Legacy of Remembrance and Support
The announcement was made as the institution and the nation prepare to mark another anniversary of the tragedy. On that day in 1989, a gunman specifically targeted female engineering students at the school, killing 14 and injuring 13 others in an act that shocked Canada and sparked a national conversation about violence against women. The expanded scholarship program transforms a day of profound grief into a sustained force for empowerment, directly investing in the next generation of women in STEM fields.
The original scholarship fund has supported numerous female engineering students over the years. By formally aligning the number of annual scholarships with the number of victims—14—the school creates a powerful, living memorial. Each scholarship recipient becomes a bearer of both memory and hope, their academic pursuits a testament to the lives and potential that were lost.
Details of the Expanded Program
While the exact financial value of each scholarship for the 2025-2026 academic year was not specified in the initial announcement, the symbolic weight of the number 14 is paramount. The program is designed to alleviate financial barriers for women pursuing engineering degrees, a field where female representation, while growing, still faces historical and systemic challenges.
The selection criteria for the scholarships are expected to consider both academic merit and the applicants' alignment with the values of inclusivity and resilience that the memorial represents. The expansion underscores École Polytechnique's ongoing dedication to fostering a safe, equitable, and supportive environment for all students.
A National Symbol of Resilience
This development resonates far beyond the university's campus in Montreal. The Polytechnique massacre remains a pivotal moment in Canadian history, leading to stronger gun control laws and galvanizing the feminist movement. The memorial scholarship program is one of the most concrete ways the institution contributes to a positive legacy from the tragedy.
Each year, on December 6, the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, ceremonies are held across Canada. The image of 14 beams of light projected into the Montreal sky, or 14 roses laid at a memorial, now has a parallel in the 14 scholarships offered—a commitment to building a future where such violence is eradicated through education, opportunity, and remembrance.
The expansion of the scholarship program serves as a powerful reminder that while the past cannot be changed, its memory can actively shape a more just and equitable future. It ensures that the names and dreams of the 14 women are forever linked to the success and achievements of the women who follow in their footsteps.
