Two students at Polytechnique Montréal reflect on how the tragedy shaped their paths

At 23 years old, engineering student Asmae Danouj is the same age as four of the 14 young women who were killed in a violent act fuelled by anti-feminist beliefs at Montreal's École Polytechnique on Dec. 6, 1989. 

Currently enrolled at the same school 32 years after the brutal, targeted mass shooting, Danouj understands the significance of being able to pursue a dream once stripped from other women in her exact position. 

"In my studies, I just came to realize how privileged I was," the fourth-year undergraduate student, who is studying biomedical engineering at the school now known as Polytechnique Montréal, told CBC.

As Quebecers plan moments of silence and solemn ceremonies to mark the 32nd anniversary of the tragedy, Danouj sees the day as a statement of resiliency by the women engineers who are carrying on the victims' legacies.

"[It shows that] no matter what, or no matter who is standing in our way, we will take the place that we have the right to. And it's like a fuel, we will not be stopped," she said.

Listen to an interview with the two students on CBC's Daybreak at 7:10 a.m. ET on CBC Radio One. 

For Justine Petrucci, a 25-year-old master's student in civil engineering in her sixth year at Polytechnique, Dec. 6 is a day to remember the women trailblazers in engineering whom she credits for carving out a space for her. 

"It allows me to remember all the woman who have come before me and the path they have travelled," she said. 

"And because of that, I feel like ... now it's up to me to keep going for those who will come after me."

As president of the student association at Polytechnique, Danouj says the school places a large emphasis on equality. 

"I think there's this community that gives so much importance to the women's place in engineering," she said. "It's just so strong here, like in between these walls, everyone's talking about [equality.]" 

But she notes there's still a lot of work to be done in combating the unfair treatment of women in the continually male-dominated industry.

"I cannot deny the fact that it is a struggle, no matter what, no matter how far we've come in the industry, the women still have to fight for their places," she said. 

"As a woman, you still need to make that extra effort to make your place acknowledged, to make your value acknowledged, so that other students do understand that you're here because of your skills."