Press Releases/Statements
Statement of Support for the Asian Community from Monumental Women (April 7, 2021)
The increase in violence against Asian Americans has shaken us. It has also strengthened our resolve to stand up against hatred and violence in all its forms. The recent attacks, nearly 70% of which have been directed at women, have been brutal and senseless. But hatred and xenophobia are not new.
Monumental Women works to create a fair historical record of the past as well as an equal and just present. We draw on women’s history to remind ourselves of the very best of the American promise. The violence we have witnessed is not only anti-Asian, it is anti-American. We condemn it and will support community partners to create safety in our streets, subway platforms, parks, and anywhere else violence exists.
The Women’s Rights Pioneers Monument that we unveiled on the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution serves as a reminder of the sacrifices those who came before us made for an equal and just world. It also underscores the need for the continuing battle for full equality. Depicting diverse people in our public spaces offers an opportunity to learn about our varied cultures and appreciate people from all origins. It is one of the reasons why Monumental Women’s mission is vital – our work allows everyone to see the important contributions of women and people of all races and ethnicities. We remain committed to creating public spaces both here in New York City and across the country that pay tribute to the many diverse people who spent their lives waging battles for the rights we enjoy and continue to fight for to this day.
STATEMENT FROM MONUMENTAL WOMEN
We, like you, are outraged and heartbroken by the killing of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Abery, and the many other Black lives that were taken because of systemic racism and violence….
We all must think long and hard about what this moment means to our country, our city, and our organizations, as well as the role we can and do play in creating an equal and just society.
The stories we tell and those we honor in our public spaces have a powerful impact on how we view and value people’s lives. Perhaps if our public spaces honored the many diverse people who did great things for this country, and not almost exclusively white men – some of whom did terrible things to this country – it would go a long way toward erasing the message that Black lives have less value.
The Women’s Rights Pioneers Monument to be unveiled on the anniversary of the 19th amendment to the Constitution and depicting the struggle for women’s rights, reminds us of the sacrifices and battles of our foremothers and forefathers, but also that we must dedicate ourselves to the unfinished business of achieving true justice for all. This issue is especially urgent for communities of color, whose voting rights are under attack at the same time that their lives are under attack. All women and people of color have had to fight tirelessly for the basic right to vote. Now, we all must not only fight to keep that basic right but use our voting power to achieve fundamental change.
We are even more deeply committed to creating public spaces both here in New York City and across the country that honor and value the many diverse people who spent their lives waging battles for the rights for which activists today continue to fight.
Read the most recent press releases of the Monumental Women campaign. Learn about how we are moving history forward with your help!
February 29, 2024
Monumental Women Seeks to Build a Coalition to Re-Create
August 26, 2020
Central Park Gets its First Statue of Real Women
March 29, 2021
Monumental Women Announces the Publication of Its TOOLKIT FOR CHANGE
July 29, 2020
Bronze Pour of Monumental Women’s First Statue of Real Women in Central Park (Video)
July 17, 2020
Actors Voice Women’s Rights Pioneers Dialogues
October 21st, 2019
New York City Public Design Commission Approves First Statue Depicting Real Women in Central Park
February 25th, 2019
Statue Fund Calls For New York City To Create A Women’s Rights Trail Honoring The Women Who Made This City Great
July 19th, 2018
Statue Fund Announces The Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony Woman Suffrage Movement Monument Design Competition Winner.