by Brenda Berkman, Monumental Women Vice President
Monumental Women had a great turnout for Renee’ Flemings’ February 15, 2025 performance of her one-woman show Augusta! in support of our Augusta Savage Initiative and to honor Black History Month 2025. Despite challenging winter weather, the theater was full for Flemings’ thrilling performance and special talkback. The play – both written and performed by Renee’ – gives life to the inspiring story of Savage, one of America’s foremost Harlem Renaissance African American women artists who worked as a sculptor and educator and fought against sexism and racism.
The attendees responded enthusiastically:
“Last night’s Fun-raiser event Augusta! was perfection. This biographical play about Augusta was revealing and intense.”
“That play was fantastic!”
“What a performance! The depth of research and historical perspective was wonderful.”
“It was a great night…Folks really enjoyed themselves.”
Looking around the audience during the performance, it was obvious people were very moved and inspired by learning about Savage’s life.
Many thanks to Renee’ Flemings, the New Federal Theater staff, Monumental Board members, and our supporters for helping make this event so successful.
Last December, MW Board member Ruth Olson hosted several dozen Monumental Women supporters and treated them to Renee’ performing an excerpt from Augusta! In the months ahead, Monumental Women plans to host more events to encourage support for our Augusta Savage Initiative in collaboration with our community partners.
If you haven’t yet, sign up to support and receive updates about MW’s Augusta Savage Initiative
Monumental Women continues to work with community partners to amplify our joint efforts to honor and educate about more women and people of color in public spaces. Our Board members have been speaking with and attending numerous presentations by other groups including Kinfolk, Village Preservation, On This Spot, West Harlem Arts, While We Are Still Here, and others re their work on monuments, public art, and women artists.
Community Board 10 (Manhattan) recently sent a strong letter of support for Monumental Women’s Augusta Savage Initiative to NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue, prompted by support from CB 10 Parks and Recreation Committee led by MW supporter Karen Horry. Many thanks to Karen, CB 10, and the Committee for their support.
Next steps include:
- Building our supporter and collaborator base. Sign up to be informed about the Initiative (we promise not to spam you)
- Conducting intellectual property legal research on Savage’s work. We have the assistance of attorney Stephanie Glaser with the esteemed firm of Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler.
- Researching sites in Harlem associated with Savage’s life with the assistance of ASI collaborating community partners for possible use as a public art location.
- Fundraising for part one of the Initiative. Support us here.
- Developing the framework for hiring a project facilitator and conducting a design competition.