EVENTS
A Formal Dedication of the Virginia Women’s Monument
The Virginia Women’s Monument Commission dedicated seven statues on October 14, 2019. The seven statues are Anne Burras Laydon, Cockacoeske, Mary Draper Ingles, Elizabeth Keckly, Laura Copenhaver, Virginia Randolph, and Adèle Clark.
October 30, 2018
Richmond, VA
Virginia Women’s Monument Unveiling Newly Completed Granite Plaza and Revealing Names on Wall of Honor
The Virginia Capitol Foundation announced that the granite plaza foundation for Voices from the Garden: The Virginia Women’s Monument is completed and soon will be open for viewing by the public. In addition, the 230 Virginia women whose names are inscribed on the monument’s glass Wall of Honor were revealed. Announcements were made at a special event at the monument’s location on Capitol Square.
Photo Courtesy of the Library of Virginia
September 12, 2018
Mount Vernon, VA
Mt. Vernon Event Showcased Martha Washington & Virginia Women’s Monument
First Lady Martha Washington is out of the history books and back in the spotlight due to her selection as one of the 12 bronze statues in Voices from the Garden: The Virginia Women’s Monument, the first monument in the nation to honor the contributions and achievements of women over the 400-year history of Virginia.
A luncheon and presentation celebrating America’s first presidential wife was held at Mt. Vernon on Sept. 12. Participants were treated to a special behind-the-scenes viewing of some of Martha Washington’s personal possessions. Also, a scholarly discussion of the Martha Washington Papers gave attendees a better understanding of her private life during the Revolutionary War years and during her eight years as First Lady of the fledgling nation.
“Martha Washington instinctively knew that her behavior would set the precedent for future spouses of the country’s chief executives,” said The Honorable Mary Margaret Whipple, Vice-Chair of the Virginia Women’s Monument Commission. “She was George Washington’s closest confidant throughout their marriage and her many contributions and accomplishments have endured since her death in 1802. Her important story will inspire everyone who visits the Virginia Women’s Monument.”
Following the tour and presentation at Mt. Vernon, a luncheon was held at the home of Shaista Mahmood, hosted by Mrs. Mahmood and former Virginia First Lady Susan Allen.
Co-hosts of the event were Nadene and Doug Bradburn, Maggie and former Virginia Lieutenant Governor John Hager and Mary Lou and Charlie Seilheimer. Many of Virginia’s First Ladies served as Honorary Co-hosts of the event including Pamela Northam, Dorothy McAuliffe, Anne Holton, Lisa Collis, Susan Allen, Jeannie Baliles, Lynda Robb and Virginia “Jinks” Holton.
August 22, 2018
Richmond, VA
Granite Arrived
The first load of granite for the Virginia's Women's Monument was delivered on August 22, 2018 on Capitol Grounds.
July 17, 2018
Richmond, VA
First Four Bronze Statues Commissioned
A visionary Native American chieftain, a brave Jamestown settler, an influential African-American educator and a passionate advocate for woman suffrage and the arts will be the first four bronze statues commissioned for Voices from the Garden: The Virginia Women’s Monument, the nation’s first monument recognizing the full scope of significant but often unrecognized contributions of women. The Virginia Capitol Foundation announced today that the statues of Cockacoeske, Anne Burras Laydon, Virginia E. Randolph and Adèle Clark are fully funded. Each of the 12 statues in the Virginia Women’s Monument requires a $200,000 investment in order to be commissioned with StudioEIS, the Brooklyn-based sculpture and design studio that created the vision for the monument. The statues take several months to be completed after being commissioned.
"These women played important roles in the early years of the Old Dominion’s recorded history and in the 20th century, when our state and country were undergoing seismic social changes. Their stories richly deserve to be remembered and told".
The photo shoot took place on May 17, 2018, in Brooklyn, New York. The photo shoot is part of the art direction for the Virginia Women’s Monument and the next step will be for StudioEIS to begin scanning and printing 3-D depictions of the statues. The models served as muses for the soon-to-be statues.
December 4, 2017
Capitol Square, Richmond, VA
The Women's Monument Commission broke ground on Phase 1 on December 4, 2017 at the Memorial Plaza. Preceding the groundbreaking ceremony on Capitol Square, there was a private fundraising breakfast celebrating the founders of this project. The proceeds will benefit the casting of the bronze statues and will help the Women's Monument Commission reach the matching funds necessary to unlock the Cabell Foundation Grant.
September 7, 2017
St. Catherines School
Press Release (PDF)
Photos
“A Conversation with Jenna Bush Hager” took place at St. Catherine’s School on Thursday, September 7. The public was invited to attend. Sponsors for the event were Dominion Energy, Altria and St. Catherine’s School.
The event supported the monument honoring contributions of Virginia women and proceeds help fund the sculpture of Adèle Goodman Clark.
Jenna Bush Hager, author and television personality, daughter of President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush, headlined the special event hosted by the Virginia Capitol Foundation to raise awareness of and build community support for "Voices from the Garden" – the Virginia Women’s Monument on Capitol Square. This marks Hager’s first public speaking appearance in Richmond.
May 17, 2015
