ProclaimHer Newsletter of the Boston's Women's Heritage Trail (BWHT) — Winter 2004
PLEASE WELCOME THE LADIES!
t took a dozen years to emerge from glimmer of idea to realization in glorious bronze: the Boston Women’s Memorial was unveiled on October 25, 2003. In a city rich in women's history, visible symbols and public recognition of that history have been in short supply. But now three important women-Abigail Adams, Phillis Wheatley, and Lucy Stone - are honored in this monumental sculpture, joining the men on the Commonwealth Avenue Mall.      Lucy Stone, crusader for women’s rights and abolitionist, edited the influential Woman’s Journal. Abigail Adams’ influence on Revolutionary era politics is richly documented through her letters. Poet Phillis Wheatley, born in West Africa and brought to Boston as a slave, was the first published African writer in America. All three women are remembered through their writings. As Sculptor Meredith Bergmann explained, "Women left a legacy, which speaks to us, if we will listen. Women have always known that words were a tool, a tool that could give them access to a public voice."      Instead of being "on pedestals," which has a very different meaning for women than it does for men, the women of the memorial make use of them: Adams leans on hers reflectively; Wheatley and Stone are both engaged in writing, using their stones as desks, as tools of expression and empowerment.      Thus the women are accessible, we can engage with them, rather than being forced to look up at them; they are slightly larger than life, but still very much on a human scale, and the golden patina gives them a tactile warmth. Bergman’s dynamic sculpture invites interaction and involvement from viewers: the passer-by shares in contemplation with each figure, and we engage with their lives and their writings through the quotations and biographical summaries carved on each woman’s pedestal.	The ceremony took place on a radiantly beautiful day, with a crowd of more than 500 in attendance. Preceding the event, music was provided by a female jazz ensemble from the Berklee School of Music. Mayor Menino and sculptor Meredith Bergmann were among the featured speakers. A group of children from the Boston Public Schools handed out commemorative buttons. Many Back Bay residents and some festively dressed dogs were among the broad cross-section of the community represented.      The Boston Women’s Memorial is a great step forward in acknowledging the achievements of historic women, achievements that were obtained only through great perseverance and sacrifice, but that were denied recognition. Now with this remarkable memorial, their leadership and vision can be celebrated by all. Liane Curtis, BWHT Board Secretary, is a musicologist at the Women’s Studies Research Center at Brandeis University, and president of The Rebecca Clarke Society, Inc. www.rebeccaclarke.org THE LADIES WALK: In honor of the Boston Women’s Memorial, BWHT has published a new trail: The Ladies Walk. This trail takes you on a walk through Boston to the places where Abigail Adams, Lucy Stone and Phillis Wheatley lived and worked and to other sites where they are honored. To view this new trail go here. To request a hard copy, send a postcard to Mary Smoyer, 22 Holbrook Street, Boston 02130.
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