Lynda Shaw Memorial Lecture inspires future engineers at Western

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(L-R) Women in Engineering representatives Abby Di Laudo and Rakhee Patel, Murray Taylor, Carol Taylor, Réjeanne Aimey, Dean Ken Coley, Aaron Shaw, Graham Shaw and Thomas Shaw gather around a photo of the third-year Engineering student who died in 1990. (Jacob Arts/ Western Engineering photo)

Western Engineering hosted the annual Lynda Shaw Memorial Distinguished Lecture on Thursday, February 27, 2025, with guest speaker Réjeanne Aimey, BESc, MBA, P.Eng, president of the Ontario Professional Engineers Foundation for Education.  The Lynda Shaw Memorial Lecture Series was established in memory of Lynda Shaw, a third-year mechanical engineering student at Western who was murdered near Highway 401 in 1990.

A call for action and resilience

This year’s lecture aligned with the International Women’s Day theme, Accelerate Action, which advocates for a gender-equal world free of bias and discrimination. In her keynote address, Aimey shared insights from her journey as an engineer in a male-dominated field, offering practical advice for students looking to navigate their careers.

“We have made progress, but despite 114 years of recognizing International Women’s Day, we are still far from true gender parity,” Aimey said. “That’s why it is critical for women in engineering to build the right skills, seek meaningful opportunities and remain resilient in the face of challenges.”

She outlined four key takeaways for future engineers:

  1. Building the Right Skills – Aimey emphasized the importance of developing strong communication and technical abilities, taking on challenging assignments and seeking mentorship. “Sometimes understanding what we need to know is half the battle,” she said.
  2. Finding the Right Position – Encouraging students to evaluate their career choices, Aimey advised, “Don’t just accept what’s available—ask yourself if this is the right position for you and be prepared to pivot when necessary.”
  3. Embracing Opportunities – Aimey urged students to remain proactive in their careers, scan the job market regularly and be open to innovation. “You create your niche by doing what others can’t or won’t do,” she noted.
  4. Considering Entrepreneurship – She encouraged students to explore entrepreneurship as a path to professional independence and gender equity. “At some point, you may need to forge your own path,” Aimey said. “Starting your own business not only gives you control over your destiny but also allows you to contribute to building a more inclusive economy.”

Overcoming barriers

Aimey also shared personal reflections on the challenges women in engineering continue to face, stressing the need for resilience, confidence and self-advocacy.

“One of the biggest hurdles women encounter in engineering is self-doubt,” she said. “It’s easy to feel like an imposter in a field where you don’t always see people who look like you. But you belong here. Your voice matters, and your skills are needed.”

She encouraged students to recognize their worth and take ownership of their career trajectories. “Advocating for yourself is not arrogance—it’s necessary. If you don’t speak up for your achievements and aspirations, who will?” Aimey said.

She also emphasized the importance of collective support in advancing gender equity. “We need allies. Gender parity isn’t just a women’s issue—it’s an engineering issue. It’s a societal issue. And it takes everyone working together to make lasting change.”

A lasting legacy

Aimey’s message resonated with the audience, particularly female engineering students who saw reflections of their own ambitions in Shaw’s story.

“Lynda Shaw never got the chance to fulfill her dreams as an engineer, but her legacy continues through each of you,” Aimey told attendees. “When things get tough, remember that you have the ability to create change, build your skills and leave your own legacy.”

The Lynda Shaw Memorial Distinguished Lecture remains a cornerstone of Western Engineering, reinforcing its commitment to fostering mentorship, resilience and gender equity in the profession. As the engineering field evolves, Shaw’s story continues to inspire students to forge their own paths and make a lasting impact.