People of Georgian: Dec. 6 attack personal for engineering dean

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Dec. 6 is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women in Canada. It commemorates Dec. 6, 1989, when 14 women – mostly studying engineering – were killed at École Polytechnique de Montréal just because they were women. Dr. Rebecca Sabourin, Dean of Engineering and Environmental Technologies and Skilled Trades at Georgian College, was in high school when the Dec. 6 attack occurred, and she shares how it affected her personally and professionally.

People of Georgian: Meet Dr. Rebecca Sabourin

It was really startling to me that you could be discriminated against based on your love of something.

The fact that these women lost their lives pursuing something that they really enjoyed was really disheartening and alarming to me.

I had faced that sort of hate before because our house had anti-Semitic graffiti put on it when I was young, and my mom had to explain it to me. My parents had also planted gardens that people would rip up. I think it was because our last name, Kaufman, which could be considered a Jewish last name, was on the front door.

It made me understand that people can sometimes not give you time and space simply because of preconceived notions. And it made me more open minded about how important it is to ensure that we have safe spaces, especially at Georgian, and everyone has space and a voice in a conversation.

A person lies on the ground under a car. — *Rebecca has always had a love of systems and worked on cars with her dad.*

Two people next to a vintage car parked in a garage. — *Rebecca and her dad with her first car.*

‘I knew what I wanted to achieve, so I wasn’t going to let anything stop me’

To not be able to pursue your dreams because of your gender is crazy.

When the Dec. 6 attack took place, I was 14 years old and wanted to pursue a similar career path to the women who had been targeted.

But I wasn’t scared. I knew what I wanted to achieve, so I wasn’t going to let anything stop me.

In my engineering class, there were four women out of 16 students, but all the guys in my mechanical engineering program were awesome and so supportive.

A person stands next to a vintage car with its hood up.

Scholarship honouring Dec. 6 victims spurs Rebecca forward

When I was pursuing my PhD, I actually got a scholarship – the Claudette MacKay-Lassonde Graduate Award – that was created in honour of the 14 women who were killed. That meant a lot to me that that money was helping me with my schooling so that I could be a female in engineering.

I think it’s really important to see it to believe it. So, by me showing up each day and being present, it can show other groups of people often discriminated against that there is a space for them.

Fourteen people wearing military uniforms stand on steps leading up a staircase. — *Rebecca, pictured at the bottom, is a 27-year veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces as an aerospace engineer.*

Two people, one of whom is wearing a military uniform, shake hands in an office. — *Rebecca, right, with former Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean.*

Where I’ve felt the most discrimination as a woman in engineering is when people consider female hires as only an equity mandate. I understand that we needed to provide opportunities for women to be competitive, but, as a woman, you hope that you’re actually getting a position because you’re the best candidate.

I was once offered a job when I was working on my PhD, and when I asked why I was selected, I was told it was because they were trying to increase the number of women in engineering. I told them: “Then I don’t want the job. I want the job because I’m the best candidate.”

But overall, my experience working in engineering has been positive.

A group of eight people stand together in front of machines and in front of signage reading "Experience Georgian." — *Rebecca, crouched in front, with colleagues at Georgian College.*

‘I value education because when people are open minded, they’re able to be more tolerant’

Now, I’m the Dean of Engineering and Environmental Technologies and Skilled Trades at Georgian. I love working here, and I feel surrounded by a caring, empathetic community that values family.

At Georgian, we have the ability to look at innovation and do research, and we are given the opportunity to ensure that everyone’s experience is great. We’re positively engaged with our community industry partners, as well as other organizations.

For any women interested in a career in a typically male-dominated industry, I would say: “Keep your eyes beyond the horizon and keep moving forward. Surround yourself by allies, advocate for yourself, and actively seek out feedback from people who have been there before you.”

I value education because when people are open minded, they’re able to be more tolerant and kinder to each other.

It’s important to help everyone on their journey and give them the tools and mentorship to fulfil their dreams because who knows what they could become.

Dr. Rebecca Sabourin (she/her), Dean, Engineering and Environment Technologies and Skilled Trades at Georgian’s Barrie, Midland and Muskoka campuses. She is also co-chair of Georgian’s military-connected campus initiative.

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