When Maxine MacLennan wanted to raise awareness about violence against women in the eastern region of the island, she began with one of the most readily recognized symbols of the cause, the purple ribbon. And when she needed one almost two metres tall to mount on the side of a building, she asked Holland College Welding instructor Kent Morrison for help.

The Welding program is one of the trades programs located in the college’s Georgetown Centre, along with Plumbing and Commercial Diving. Students in the centre frequently lend a hand to community projects, and this time was no exception.

MacLennan is Youth Program Facilitator for Eastern PEI Family Violence Prevention Services.
 
“The response was very positive,” she recalls. “Kent Morrison was only too happy to comply, and I must say, our ribbon looks awesome. He and his students are to be commended.”

Morrison said the project provided students Lucas Graham and Charles Richards with the opportunity to put their skills to use.

“Our students enjoy helping out on community initiatives,” he said. “This project gave the students a chance to use their skills and knowledge to problem-solve because of the unusual shape of the piece. It was good experience for them.”

The ribbon was unveiled by Premier Robert Ghiz during a public ceremony at noon on Saturday, December 6th at the Montague Town Hall. The date was of particular significance, as it marked the 19th anniversary of the Montreal Massacre, in which14 women were murdered at L’Ecole Polytechnique by a lone gunman.