Ohio Women's Monument Unveiled on Statehouse South Plaza in Columbus
The installation features four granite columns and nine bronze figures, making Ohio the second state to place a women's monument on statehouse grounds.
The Ohio Women’s Monument was unveiled on the South Plaza of the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus on Wednesday, Oct. 14, following a formal program at the Ohio Theatre.
Ohio is the second state to erect a monument for women on its Statehouse grounds, following Virginia, according to Capitol Square Foundation chair Charles Moses.
The sculpture features four etched granite columns and nine bronze figures representing women across generations, eras and experiences, and incorporates about 100 women’s names. Three columns feature bronze figures, while the fourth intentionally remains open as a space representing the women of the future and the stories yet to be written.
Spending more than a year at a Zanesville studio using a process that combined clay modeling, 3D printing, and bronze casting, sculptor Brenda Councill said the piece was designed to be experienced rather than simply observed.
The monument features many Ohio women from different walks of life, including astronaut Judith Resnick, suffragist Belle Sherwin, and the first woman to serve as the speaker of the Ohio House, JoAnn Davidson. Davidson was memorialized by former Attorney General Betty Montgomery, and a $1 million anonymous donation to the monument was given in Davidson's name.
The monument includes ideals that have yet to be passed in state law, including one bronze figure holding a sign saying “Equal Pay for Equal work.”
The Ohio Women’s Monument is the result of more than six years of planning and collaboration among Ohio legislators and leaders, the Ohio Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission, the Capitol Square Foundation, the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board and the Ohio Arts Council. Support for the monument came from America 250-Ohio as part of its statewide commemoration of the nation's 250th anniversary.
The Ohio Women’s Monument is located on the South Plaza of the Ohio Statehouse and is open to the public. The new exhibit is on the south side of the Statehouse across from the Ohio Theatre.
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Supporting evidence (8)
The Ohio Women’s Monument was unveiled on the South Plaza of the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus on Wednesday, Oct. 14, following a formal program at the Ohio Theatre.
Read supporting passage
Ohio Women’s Monument, a new landmark celebrating generations of women in the state and nation, was unveiled at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus on Wednesday, Oct. 14.
The Ohio Women’s Monument was unveiled on the South Plaza of the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus on Wednesday, Oct. 14, following a formal program at the Ohio Theatre.
Read supporting passage
Following a formal program at the Ohio Theatre, hundreds of visitors gathered at the Ohio Statehouse's South Plaza for the unveiling, which featured live music, poetry, and personal remarks from state and community leaders.
The sculpture features four etched granite columns and nine bronze figures representing women across generations, eras and experiences, and incorporates about 100 women’s names.
Read supporting passage
The sculpture features four etched granite columns and nine bronze figures representing women across generations, eras and experiences. The monument includes about 100 women’s names.
Three columns feature bronze figures, while the fourth intentionally remains open as a space representing the women of the future and the stories yet to be written.
Read supporting passage
“Three columns feature bronze figures, while the fourth intentionally remains open as a space representing the women of the future and the stories yet to be written.”
Spending more than a year at a Zanesville studio using a process that combined clay modeling, 3D printing, and bronze casting, sculptor Brenda Councill said the piece was designed to be experienced rather than simply observed.
The Ohio Women’s Monument is the result of more than six years of planning and collaboration among Ohio legislators and leaders, the Ohio Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission, the Capitol Square Foundation, the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board and the Ohio Arts Council.
Support for the monument came from America 250-Ohio as part of its statewide commemoration of the nation's 250th anniversary.
The Ohio Women’s Monument is located on the South Plaza of the Ohio Statehouse and is open to the public.
Supporting evidence (5)
Ohio is the second state to erect a monument for women on its Statehouse grounds, following Virginia, according to Capitol Square Foundation chair Charles Moses.
Read supporting passage
Charles Moses, chair of the Capitol Square Foundation, said Ohio is the second state to erect a monument for women on its Statehouse grounds. He said Virginia was the first.
The monument features many Ohio women from different walks of life, including astronaut Judith Resnick, suffragist Belle Sherwin, and the first woman to serve as the speaker of the Ohio House, JoAnn Davidson.
Davidson was memorialized by former Attorney General Betty Montgomery, and a $1 million anonymous donation to the monument was given in Davidson's name.
Read supporting passage
Davidson, who died nearly two years ago, was memorialized by her friend, former Attorney General Betty Montgomery.“This is a woman who has personally shaped Ohio with grace, with safety, with a concern for all she served. It was fairness. She loved policy. She loved politics. She was tough as nails. She had a great sense of humor," Montgomery said.A $1 million anonymous donation to the monument was given in Davidson's name.
The monument includes ideals that have yet to be passed in state law, including one bronze figure holding a sign saying “Equal Pay for Equal work.”
The new exhibit is on the south side of the Statehouse across from the Ohio Theatre.