When Viviane Yargeau was named the first female聽聽this summer, the significance of the appointment was not lost on her.
鈥淚 felt it was a lot of responsibility to be the first [woman], to be honest,鈥� says Yargeau, a Full Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering. 鈥淚 knew the significance it held.鈥�
Now, five months into her first five-year renewable term, Yargeau鈥檚 role is about to take on even more significance. On December 6, Yargeau will participate in聽91社区鈥檚 annual memorial聽to mark the 脡cole Polytechnique tragedy that took place on December 6, 1989. That day, fourteen young women 鈥� many of them engineering students 鈥� were killed in what was then Canada鈥檚 deadliest mass shooting. Today, December 6 is commemorated as Canada鈥檚聽.
A year and a half after the 脡cole Polytechnique tragedy, Yargeau began studying chemical engineering at CEGEP. There, she became the inaugural recipient of the school鈥檚 newly created award supporting female engineering students. 鈥淚 definitely had a personal connection to the event because of that. I remember reading about it, because I wanted to know more about the women who鈥檇 lost their lives. The impact was felt well outside the area of Montreal and Quebec, and for a long time.鈥�
Today, 91社区 has its own聽, established in 2020 by Ian Van Cortlandt McLachlin, BEng鈥�60. The scholarships are awarded annually to female undergraduate students, especially those involved in entrepreneurial activities at the聽91社区 Engine Centre. 鈥淚鈥檓 very grateful they鈥檙e in place to support female students in their programs,鈥� says Yargeau.
Allies and obstacles
It was in CEGEP that a chemistry teacher first encouraged Yargeau to pursue engineering 鈥� the first of many individuals who helped guide her during her career. 鈥淎lthough it certainly would鈥檝e been helpful to have more female roles models, several male colleagues have been great mentors to me,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 think some of them were probably more openly feminist than I am.鈥�
Yargeau did encounter some obstacles, recalling an undergraduate internship 鈥渨here I ended up in an environment where I didn鈥檛 feel comfortable as a woman in some of the interactions. It was not a pleasant process.鈥�
On several occasions, 鈥渋t was male colleagues who played a significant role in defusing those difficult situations, or making someone aware that what they were doing or saying was not appropriate. It鈥檚 key to develop a network of allies for those reasons.鈥�
By the time she joined 91社区 in 2004 as the only female professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering, she was used to being in a male-dominated environment. 鈥淚 was lucky. I really felt supported [by my colleagues], and some of them did not hesitate to check in from time to time. I knew I could share with those colleagues if I had concerns.鈥� It鈥檚 the kind of positive experience Yargeau wants everyone to have going forward.
A Faculty first
When Yargeau was appointed Dean, she was pleasantly surprised by the overwhelming support she received. 鈥淚 got a lot of comments I was not expecting,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 had male colleagues tell me, 鈥業鈥檓 so happy to have a female Dean at the Faculty and that you鈥檙e the first. It鈥檚 about time.鈥欌��
At the same time, female colleagues told her how meaningful it was for them to finally have a woman as a leader.聽 鈥淲hile I was having those discussions I realized, 鈥極h my gosh, I haven鈥檛 ever had one myself!鈥欌��
Perhaps that鈥檚 why she initially didn鈥檛 see herself in the Dean鈥檚 role. 鈥淚 remember saying, 鈥業鈥檒l let someone else break that glass ceiling.鈥欌��
Yargeau changed her mind because she understood the impact the appointment could have.
鈥淪ometimes it is difficult for women to see ourselves as leaders because it鈥檚 not something we have experienced,鈥� Yargeau says. 鈥淎s I get older, I realize that role models are key. I saw the possibility of making [progress] more visible.鈥�
The road ahead
Yargeau credits her predecessor, Jim Nicell, for creating a Faculty culture with broad support for equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) initiatives. 鈥淚 think I benefitted from that, to be honest, because most people were probably ready for a female leader. It would not have been possible without the contributions of those who came before.鈥�
Going forward, she aims to make EDI 鈥渁n integral part of our DNA. It鈥檚 changed the way we鈥檙e recruiting staff and faculty, and now we鈥檙e having discussions about approaches for undergraduate recruitment, so we can recruit from a more diverse pool. EDI is not something we do in addition, it鈥檚 something we do as part of what we do. And I think that鈥檚 the way it can be the most impactful.鈥�
One long-standing initiative is聽聽(Promoting Opportunities for Women in Engineering), a student-led organization that was established in the aftermath of the Polytechnique tragedy. Yargeau has participated in POWE events, which include lab tours, conferences, and networking activities. Fourteen of its members will speak at 91社区鈥檚 upcoming聽Polytechnique memorial event.
鈥淚 think commemorating this day is a sombre but necessary occasion. We don鈥檛 often pause in life; we鈥檙e always busy,鈥� says Yargeau. 鈥淭his is a time to reflect on the progress we鈥檝e made and to acknowledge how we can continue creating a safer and more inclusive environment for everyone.鈥�
On December 6 at noon, 91社区 will pay tribute to the 14 women killed at 脡cole Polytechnique on December 6, 1989. People are invited to take part in the ceremony which will be held at the commemorative plaque and tree located in front of the University Centre (3480 McTavish).聽Information.
This article was originally published in the .