San Francisco, CA, USA
A bronze statue of Georgia O’Keeffe, a painter, who is known as “the mother of American modernism.”
The semi-realistic, semi-abstract statue that was created and dedicated in 1982 depicts O’Keeffe as an older woman, sitting on a tree stump and holding a cane, with her two dogs, Bo and Chia, by her sides. All are facing west, towards the setting sun.
The sculptress, Marisol Escobar, based the portrait on a photograph she took while visiting O’Keeffe in New Mexico. Read more...
San Francisco, CA, USA
The “Lady of the Lamp” is a cast stone statue of Florence Nightingale, known as “The founder of professional nursing,” and the mentor of Linda Richards, who was the first trained nurse in the US. Since the 19th century till these days, Nightingale inspired many nurses, and for that reason, this location of the statue was chosen, facing the Laguna Honda hospital, and symbolizes the role she still has on modern nursing.
The statue, designed by David Edstrom and dedicated on the National Hospital Day in 1939, depicts Nightingale in her nursing uniform, holding a lamp during a hospital round, visiting wounded soldiers.
A duplicate of this statue is located at Lincoln Park in Los Angeles. Read more...
Berkeley, CA, USA
The YWCA Berkeley/Oakland is a non-profit organization with the mission is to eliminate racism, develop leadership, empower women, and promote peace, justice, and freedom. The organization programs and workshops are open to all, with no religious affiliation.
Join the YWCA Berkeley/Oakland and enjoy various activities, such as dance and fitness classes, career coaching, mentor programs, English and American culture meetings, as well as scholars speaker lectures of UC Berkeley outstanding women professors. Between activities, you can explore the changing art exhibits at the lobby and meeting rooms, and participate in special events, including the Annual Festival of Women Authors, Know Your Rights Workshop, and Free the Tampon Rally.
The YWCA Berkeley/Oakland founded in 1889 by 17 women who wanted to provide support, community services, and leadership training to girls and women. For over 125 years, the organization established a legacy of empowering women and promoting justice for all, without religious, racial, or social bias. Read more...
San Francisco, CA, USA
A bronze bust of Dianne Feinstein, located at San Francisco city hall, just outside of the mayor’s office, is honoring Feinstein, a senior US Senator who was the first female mayor of SF and served in this position from 1978 to 1988. This is the only female statue inside the city hall building.
It was revealed in 1997, and was made by the sculptress Lisa Reinerston, who is well known for her large scale public sculptures. Read more...
San Francisco, CA, USA
Between 1931 and the end of WW2, hundreds of thousands of girls and women were forced into sexual slavery by the Imperial Japanese Army. They were called euphemistically “comfort women.” The Japanese Administrations continued to deny the truth of this massive crime against humanity, but the women who survived the horror had the courage to reveal it to the world.
In 2015, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors decided to build a memorial to the “Comfort Women” to educate the community about stopping human trafficking of women and girls. The memorial was unveiled on September 22nd, 2017. A year after the memorial dedication, San Francisco’s sister city, Osaka, ended their 60 years sister-city relationship due to the lack of acceptance of the accusation of Japan in this massive crime.
The memorial of a 10-feet tall bronze statue, also known as the Column of Strength statue, made by Steven Whyte, was installed in 2017 to honor these women, their strength, and their courage to come forward and share their stories. The statue depicts three girls standing back to back holding hands. Each represents a country from which came the highest numbers of victims: China, Korea, and The Philippines.
At a distance stands a bronze figure of an older woman watching the girls. This woman represents Kim Hak-Sun – a Korean human rights activist who was the first ‘comfort woman’ to tell her story in public.
On August 16th, 2019, a smaller version of this statue was unveiled in Seoul’s Mt. Namsan, South Korea. Read more...
San Francisco, CA, USA
An art organization that promotes women in the arts, encouraging young female artists, and creating cultural relationships between creators and the public. The gallery showcases artworks of more than 140 women artists, including paintings, sculptures, photographs, jewelry, and ceramics.
San Francisco Women Artists is the oldest art organization in California.
It was founded in 1887 as a sketch club for women artists who shared their work and critique with one another.
Visitors can enjoy changing exhibits, such as ‘World Of Abstraction’ and ‘Small Presents,’ and also participate in classes, workshops, and community events. Read more...
Richmond, CA, USA
A monument at the Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park commemorating the “Rosies” – the women laborers who worked in the shipyards during World War II. This is the first national memorial honoring the contribution of women in the home front.
The monument, designed by visual artist Susan Schwartzenberg and landscape architect/environmental sculptor Cheryl Barton, is a ship’s keel length walkway inscribed with the home front timeline and quotations of female workers. A sculpture, in the form of a ship being built, displaying letters, photographs, and other memorabilia of women laborers from all over the country. It was dedicated in October 2000.
Learn about the women workforce during these crucial times and discover the challenges they faced, including hazardous working conditions, shortages of childcare, food rationing, and gender discrimination.
Rosie the Riveter Memorial established due to the campaign of Chairwoman Donna Powers. She was inspired by the stories she heard about women’s labor during WW2. With the help of the historian Donna Graves, the monument, and afterward the park itself, became the first National Historical Park to memorialize the efforts of the women workforce of the home front. Read more...
San Francisco, CA, USA
A non-profit community and education center led by women for women from all cultures and backgrounds, operated since 1979. The center’s mission is to promote social justice and gender equality by providing the tools women need to achieve equality in society. It provides a safe space for women to tell their story without any judgment, and to discover their strengths.
At the Women’s Building women can get access to various programs and services, from job search and financial management assistance, access to food pantry and computer lab, to yoga classes and dancing. The center also organize special events such as plant swapping and free film screenings.
The building itself is known for its exterior and interior mural, painted by seven women artists. The mural depicts images of different feminine icons and names of more than 600 women. Read more...