Dear York community,
On Dec. 6, 1989, 14 women lost their lives and 14 others were injured in a mass shooting at École Polytechnique in Montreal, an act of violent misogyny. Each of the women held profound promise and were beloved by their families and friends.
Every year, York joins the nation in commemorating the 14 women, those who have experienced gender-based violence, and those who have lost their lives to it on the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women: Geneviève Bergeron, Hélène Colgan, Nathalie Croteau, Barbara Daigneault, Anne-Marie Edward, Maud Haviernick, Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz, Maryse Laganière, Maryse Leclair, Anne-Marie Lemay, Sonia Pelletier, Michèle Richard, Annie St-Arneault and Annie Turcotte.
Gender-based violence remains a pressing issue, particularly for women and girls who are further marginalized by intersecting racism, xenophobia, cis- and heterosexism, ableism, and/or economic injustice. In Canada, we also acknowledge and mourn the missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Ending gender-based violence will only be possible with a broad and deep commitment to social justice.
We invite you to attend a ceremony to honour the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. Please wear a white ribbon during the ceremony to symbolize your commitment to the safety, equality, and dignity of all girls and women and to ending gender-based violence. Ribbons can be obtained at the Keele, Glendon and Markham campuses (details available here).
Event details
Date: Friday, Dec. 6
Time: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Event website: events.yorku.ca/events/the-national-day-of-remembrance-and-action-on-violence-against-women
Keele Campus
Live location: The Eatery (first floor), Bergeron Centre for Engineering Excellence
Livestream: yorku.zoom.us/j/93090808459?pwd=j9UpGK08aEGxqKlqH9BuCBxdJbUDj4.1
Glendon Campus
Viewing room: Glendon Ballroom
Livestream: yorku.zoom.us/j/93090808459?pwd=j9UpGK08aEGxqKlqH9BuCBxdJbUDj4.1
You can also show your support by participating in a number of events and activities as part of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, which runs from Nov. 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to Dec. 10 (Human Rights Day). The Centre for Sexual Violence Response, Support and Education, and partners from across the University, will host community events, talks, workshops and activities focused on the theme Resistance Through Rest, which emphasizes the importance of self-care, rest and healing as forms of resistance against gender-based violence.
Sincerely,
Rhonda Lenton
President & Vice-Chancellor
Jane Goodyer
Dean, Lassonde School of Engineering
Laina Y. Bay-Cheng
Professor and Vice-President Equity, People & Culture