Sponsored by the Canadian Federation of University Women, Guelph Chapter, the Reflection Garden was donated to the City as a Millennium gift in memory of the 14 female engineering students slain in Montreal’s École Polytechnique massacre on December 6, 1989.
The garden, designed by Guelph landscape architect Wendy Shearer, consists of two large, slightly curved wrought iron screens made up of seven flower stems each. The buds on the top of the stems symbolize the lives of the 14 women. The buds will never open, just as the fourteen young women were never able to develop to their full potential. The Reflection Garden is located at the confluence of the Speed and Eramosa Rivers and provides an area where one can reflect on many things, including the significant losses to our community which are caused by violence.
The garden was designed by landscape architect, Wendy Shearer, and the wrought-iron gates crafted by James Wallace.
The 14 women slain at Ecole Polytechnique (The Canadian Press)
About the artists
Wendy Shearer
James Wallace
About the Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW)
CFUW is a non-partisan, voluntary, self-funded organization with over 100 CFUW clubs, located in every province across Canada. Since its founding in 1919, CFUW has been working to improve the status of women and to promote human rights, public education, social justice, and peace. Every year, CFUW and its clubs award close to $1 million to women to help them pursue post-secondary studies. CFUW also provides funding for library and creative arts awards. CFUW clubs provide life-long learning opportunities and fellowship to its members. There are over 100 lecture series, 200 book clubs and 75 issues groups offered by CFUW clubs. CFUW clubs are involved in community outreach on such initiatives as working to prevent violence against women, child poverty, early learning and child care.
CFUW holds special consultative status with the United Nations (ECOSOC) and belongs to the Education Committee of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO. CFUW regularly sends a delegation to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. CFUW is the largest affiliate of Graduate Women International which represents women worldwide.
The Guelph Chapter was founded in 1945.
Location
Speed/Eramosa Walking Trail at confluence of Speed and Eramosa Rivers, Guelph, Ontario N1H 4H6