The Logan Alexandra Russell Fund
In Loving Memory of Logan Alexandra Russell
Born on August 21st, 1993, Logan brought joy, kindness, and
vibrance into her loved ones’ lives from the very beginning.
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Logan found light, happiness, and fulfillment in many places, but music and dance were her passions above anything else. She came into this world with “a soundtrack already in her head,” listening to artists like Christina Aguilera, Madonna, and many others on repeat. Aside from her love of listening to music, Logan, remembered for her choir, band, and Christmas concert solos, had a beautiful voice of her own. She adored singing, but dance was her true love and her constant. She learned to dance at D&R Dance School, where she nurtured a natural ability, made friends who became family, and found a second home. Later, she returned to the school as a teacher, using her talent, patience, and uplifting energy to make “any kid feel like a star.” For Logan, “music was her first love, but dance was her heartbeat.” Aside from music and dance, Logan had a great love for animals and an enthusiasm for food, whether she was watching the Food Network to learn recipes, finding the best grocery store deals, or enjoying movie-theatre popcorn with extra butter or her mom’s turkey dinners.
​Logan had a huge heart, loved everyone she met, and listened to and supported all who she knew, without judgement. Throughout her short life, Logan also faced more than her share of obstacles and challenges. Though even during the darkest, most difficult parts of her life, she loved fully, without hesitation, and had empathy for every life that she touched: “Her empathy was a rare gift, her generosity endless, her loyalty unbreakable. To know Logan was to be seen and loved exactly as you were.” Logan loved life, and made everyone around her love it, too. She was “the girl who turned every room into a stage, and every heart she touched into a safer, happier place.”
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But she was not safe. On November 23rd, 2025, Logan tragically lost her life in an act of horrifying violence perpetrated by her male partner; the person who was supposed to, above anything else, love her and keep her safe. Our hearts are broken for Logan, her many family members and friends, and all those who loved and were loved by her. Logan’s family and friends will always feel the impacts of her loss, wonder what could have made things different, and be haunted by questions that they will never be able to answer.
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​Beyond the violence inflicted by her partner, Logan was failed by systems that should have kept her safe. Since our province declared intimate partner violence to be an epidemic in September of last year, at least eight women in Nova Scotia, including Logan, have been killed by their male partners. However, there has not been an epidemic-level response to investing in intersectional, root cause-centered intimate partner violence prevention strategy. Specifically, strategy based on education, awareness-building, and having challenging, complex conversations. Strategy that focuses on not only supporting individuals who are at risk of or already experiencing abuse, but also uncovers, unpacks, and addresses the root causes of this violence, so that we are being proactive, not reactive.
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​In loving memory of Logan, the Elizabeth Fry Society of Mainland Nova Scotia, in partnership with her family, is establishing The Logan Alexandra Russell Fund. Intended to honour Logan’s beautiful life and loving, empathetic nature, while also striving to protect others from the violence that caused her death, the fund will contribute to intimate partner violence prevention efforts, focused on both education and the fostering of meaningful, non-judgmental, and empowering connections and collaborations.
In the short-term, we will be drawing from the fund to plan and host three educational panel events. The first, to be held in early March, will build awareness of what occurs before and during intimate partner violence by focusing on signs of abuse, how to be a safe space, and how to create safety for your loved ones. The second, to be held in May, will encompass a discussion on how to navigate the legal system in the devastating wake of victimization and loss. Lastly, we will be having a third panel in July that will centre on understanding the root causes of intimate partner and gender-based violence, how and when to address these root causes, and envisioning and pursuing a future with decreased levels of violence.
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However, educating on these subjects, having these crucial conversations, is just the beginning. Our eventual goal is to prevent male-perpetrated intimate partner violence, and all forms of gender-based violence, by working with men and boys to comprehend, dismantle, and shift gender norms; develop healthy, caring masculinities, rather than those that are prone to self-harm, violence, and control; and create and maintain relationships that are equitable, empowered, built on mutual respect, and free of violence. Men are the primary perpetrators of all forms of violence, but they are not hardwired to be this way. Violence prevention begins with softness, compassion, and creating safe, empathetic spaces to engage in difficult, but critical, conversations surrounding harmful gender norms, masculinity, mental health and well-being, positive coping mechanisms, and healthy and unhealthy relationships. Therefore, our long-term goal, if funding permits, is to develop and deliver this type of programming-- working with men and boys, in all scopes and spaces, to reach these goals. Safe spaces for women and girls start with safe spaces for men and boys.
To contribute to The Logan Alexandra Russell Fund.
When making your donation, please note “Logan’s Fund” in the message section of the form.
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On behalf of both the Elizabeth Fry Society of Mainland Nova Scotia and Logan’s family, thank you for helping us to engage in violence prevention through learning, connecting, and cooperating, honouring and carrying on Logan’s legacy of love, empathy, and commitment to creating safe, kinder spaces for all.