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Capitol Square. The Monument is integrated into the landscape and
will serve as an anchor within the Capitol—and the Commonwealth
of Virginia—for those whose purpose may be nothing more than a
spot to appreciate the architecture and beautiful landscape of the
Capitol. But the Monument also will be a stopping place for those
people who study women’s history and those people who ponder the
future disposition of women’s roles in American society. It will be a
place where one can honor the past and reflect on their future path.
John Crank of The 1717 Design Group elaborated. “The
Monument’s design is intended to be a thought-provoking and
interactive experience that complements the more traditional heroic
monuments that already grace Capitol Square.We see this Monument
as a metaphor for the many invisible and often unrecognized voices
that have been responsible for shaping our culture, country and
Commonwealth for over 400 years.
“It is our hope that this
Monument will stand as a
lasting reminder of the vital
roles that women have played in
Virginia history, and will serve
to help educate and inspire future
generations of Virginians,” said
Mary Margaret Whipple, a former
member of the Senate of Virginia
and a member of the Commission.
“Women have played an
integral part in Virginia from its
beginnings and this Monument
will be a welcome addition to
Capitol Square and a worthy
tribute to the many contributions
of Virginia’s women,” said
William J. Howell, Speaker of the
Virginia House of Delegates and
a member of the Commission.
Virginia’s historic Capitol Square is one of the oldest enclosed
public parks in the entire United States. It continues to be an
architectural and artistic setting for events shaping America’s
individual liberties, political institutions, judicial traditions, and
social progress. Capitol Square not only is home to the State Capitol,
designed by Thomas Jefferson, which has been in use since 1788, but
also theVirginia Governor’s Mansion, which recently celebrated two
centuries as the oldest, continuously occupied governor’s residence
in America, as well as a host of other government buildings and
public monuments serving as reminders of the power, leadership,
and enduring principles upon which this nation was founded. Visitors
from across the world come to Capitol Square each year to enjoy the
beautiful grounds and walk in the footsteps of history.
The Commission, in keeping with its charge to secure non-
taxpayer, private funding sources for the Monument, is working with
the Virginia Capitol Foundation to coordinate its fundraising efforts
opportunities. Alice Lynch, Executive Director of the Virginia
Capitol Foundation, said that the Foundation is “pleased to partner
with the Women’s Commission to engage communities throughout
the entire Commonwealth in support for this historic monument’s
installation. We welcome contributions from any individual, family,
or organization interested in celebrating the achievements ofVirginia
women.” To contact Ms. Lynch, please call 804-786-1012 or email
For more information on the Women of Virginia,
Commemorative Commission and the Monument, please visit
The Women of Virginia Commemorative Commission an-
nounced the selection of the winning design for the Women’s
Monument to be placed on the grounds of Virginia’s Capitol Square
in Richmond. Thought to be the first of its kind in the nation, the
Monument will commemorate the collective contributions of the
women of Virginia throughout the past 400 years of its storied
history. Prominently placed and respectfully integrated into the
historic Capitol landscape, the Monument’s oval-garden design
includes elements of sculpture and landscaping that will provide
visitors an interactive and educational experience. Out of 34 designs
submitted from around the world, the Commission unanimously
selected the winning design by StudioEIS of Brooklyn, New
York and The 1717 Design Group, Inc. of Richmond, Virginia.
The decision was announced in conjunction with the Library of
Virginia’s annual Virginia Women in History awards celebration.
“This monument will provide
a lasting reminder to those
walking through our Capitol
Square of the vital role women
played in shaping Virginia’s
history,” said Governor Bob
McDonnell, chairman of the
Commission. “There are so many
incredible stories of women
who have led and inspired in
the public and private sector in
Virginia. This monument will
honor the contributions of those
great women.”
The Virginia General Assem-
bly established the Women’s
Commission in 2010 (Senate
Joint Resolution 11) to determine
and recommend…an appropriate
monument in Capitol Square
to commemorate the contributions of the women of Virginia. The
Commission’s duties include securing from private sources the $2
million necessary for the creation of the Monument. The Virginia
Capitol Foundation will coordinate fundraising for the project.
The Commission is chaired by Governor Bob McDonnell and
has been led by the Secretary of Administration, Lisa Hicks-Thomas.
Other members are: Em Bowles Locker Alsop, a driving catalyst
for the monument’s creation; Lissy S. Bryan; Kitty Claiborne; Mary
Blanton Easterly; Jacqueline Cook Hedblom; Rita D. McClenny;
Mary Margaret Whipple; Mary Abel-Smith; Senator Ryan T.
McDougle; Senator Jill HoltzmanVogel;William J. Howell, Speaker
of the Virginia House of Delegates; Delegate James P. Massie, III;
Susan Clarke Schaar, Clerk of the Senate; G. Paul Nardo, Clerk of
the House of Delegates; Sandra G. Treadway, Librarian of Virginia;
and Alice Lynch, Executive Director, Virginia Capitol Foundation.
The Commission invited and welcomed the ideas and comments
of Virginians from all corners of the Commonwealth through a
series of nine Community Conversations in fall 2012, the results
of which were collected into themes that Virginians wished to see
represented in the monument. A total of 34 artists from around
the world answered the Commission’s request for proposals by
the October 1, 2012 deadline. After carefully reviewing them for
several months, the Commission narrowed the submissions to
three finalists. At its March 21, 2013 meeting, the Commission
unanimously selected the winning collaborative team of StudioEIS
and The 1717 Design Group.
Ivan Schwartz of StudioEIS, who last year installed his highly-
regarded sculpture of Thomas Jefferson in the State Capitol, spoke
of the transformation and new meaning the Monument will add to
Design selected for the Women’s Monument in Capitol Square
Rendering courtesy of StudioEIS and The 1717 Design Group.
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