The playlist today is for women by women with a few male voices in there as well. It has been 30 years since the massacre at l’École Polytechnique de Montréal. December 6, 1989, a young man’s hatred for feminists caused 14 young women to lose their lives. This senseless act of targeted violence shook our country and led Parliament to designate December 6 as The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women.

On December 6, we remember Geneviève Bergeron, Hélène Colga, Nathalie Croteau, Barbara Daigneault, Anne-Marie Edward, Maud Haviernick, Maryse Laganière, Maryse Leclair, Anne-Marie Lemay, Sonia Pelletier, Michèle Richard, Annie St-Arneault, Annie Turcotte, and Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz. (Source: Government of Canada) Learn more about these women in an article on Global News. And you can read and listen to more about the massacre on CBC Radio.

I remember being shocked when I heard about it. These women were killed because they dared to want an education in engineering. The killer felt that feminists ruined his life. He probably felt the more independent women got, the less likely they would want to be with him. Sadly, there are still men that feel that having women’s emotional and sexual companionship is their right and are owed that. If they don’t get it, there are some that resort to violence. Violence against women is a global pandemic that affects 1 in 3 women in their lifetime (source: The World Bank)

We are being called out to take action. In the video below, YWCA activists speak out to end gender-based violence in Canada. Read about some myths and realities on the YWCA website.

I like to use music for many things. In this case it is to help me process my feelings and to help inspire and empower myself and others. I hope the playlist helps others as well or at least enjoy some great tunes by some kick ass women and a few men. We need male voices too!