That is the first statue of a real woman in Cincinnati. A surprising fact since Cincinnati is Ohio’s largest metropolitan area, the nation’s 29th-largest, its first settlers arrived in 1788, and the city is home to hundreds of statues of men. The Woman’s City Club of Greater Cincinnati initiated the project to commemorate Spencer’s legacy and contribution with a statue. They managed the committee, the fundraising efforts and chose the artists- Gina Erardi and Tom Tsuchiya to create it. The statue was dedicated on Sunday, June 27th, 2021, on what would have been her 101st birthday. Marian Spencer (1920-2019) was a civil rights activist, a politician, the Vice Mayor of the Cincinnati City Council, who throughout her life contributed to the development of Cincinnati. Spencer was born and lived in Ohio her whole life. She arrived at Cincinnati to study at the University of Cincinnati and stayed, married, and had 2 sons. Since her arrival to the city, she worked to end segregation and discrimination against black people. Because of her work, desegregation happened in Coney Island, YWCA summer camps, and pools nationwide. Her activism work got her the nickname “Ms. Civil Rights.” Besides having her statue becoming the first in the city to honor a real woman, and especially an African American woman, she was the first African American woman elected to the City Council, the first African American president of the Woman’s City Club, and more. The life-size bronze statue depicts Spencer greeting a boy and a girl. Her right hand holds the girl’s, while her left hand invites the visitor to connect and hold her hand. On the ground, a formal invitation reads “Hold Hands and Unite.” Her quote on a bench behind the statue reads- “Be Smart, Be polite, Vote and Keep on Fighting.” Read more...

The Upton House is named after its famous resident Harriet Taylor Upton. Upton was Warren’s 20th-century celebrity who took an active part in the Suffrage Movement activities, one of which was as the Treasurer of the National Women’s Suffrage Association. She received the house as a gift from her father and lived there for 60 years with her husband. Upton became involved in the Suffrage Movement after escorting her father to WDC for his position as a congressman. She became friends with Susan B. Anthony and served in several key positions in the movement. Many celebrities visited the Upton House, and it was the center of the National American Woman Suffrage Association in 1903-1905. The historic place was saved for demolition by the local people of Warren, and it is now a museum dedicated to the Suffrage Movement and the life of Harriet Taylor Upton. The house is managed by the Harriet Taylor Upton Association, which also maintains the gardens and the nearby Women’s Park. It can be visited by appointment. Special events are held occasionally, and the house is available for private events. Read more...

Harriet Beecher Stowe House was the home of Harriet Beecher Stowe, an author and an abolitionist, known for her anti-slavery novel ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin.’ Like Stowe herself, many of her siblings were educators, religious leaders, women’s rights advocates, and anti-slavery activists. While living in this house, the Beechers’ helped runaway slaves; therefore today the house is recognized as a site on the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. The house celebrates the life of Harriet Beecher Stowe, her family, and their legacy. You can learn about the abolitionists, the Underground Railroad, and the events led Stowe to write about the injustice of slavery. You can see original furnishing and items of the period, such as the desk of Stowe’s father, and participate in special events including lectures, book readings, and various children’s activities. At the gift shop, you can purchase different editions of ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin’ and other books written by Stowe. Read more...

A museum dedicated to women in aviation and aerospace throughout the 19th century till today and beyond. Its mission is to collect, document, preserve and display memorabilia and artifacts related to the history, culture, and the way of life of the women in all areas of air and space travel. Hear the stories of women who made history, such as Amelia Earhart, Katharine Wright Haskell, the encouraging sister of the Wright brothers, women who served as air service pilots during WW2, and the ‘Mercury 13’ crew. Explore the temporary and permanent exhibits showcasing items of individual women pilots and astronauts, such as Captain Jennifer Harris, Ruth Nichols, and Bessie Coleman. Enjoy special events, including ‘Dinner with a Slice of History’, ‘Wings of Women STEM Conference’ and ‘Out Of This World Circus Day’. The International Women’s Air & Space Museum was founded by the ‘Ninety-Nines’ – an international organization of women pilots established in 1929 to support and promote women in aviation. Amelia Earhart was the first elected president of the organization. Read more...

The National First Ladies’ Library is a national historic site commemorating the history of all America’s First Ladies and their contributions to the country. The library is an education and research center, which also serves as a museum, showcasing first ladies’ memorabilia including pictures, china, and dresses, as well as a miniature of Smithsonian’s First Lady Gown collection. In addition to the main library, there is a smaller library displaying a replica of the books collection of First Lady Abigail Fillmore’s first White House library. Explore the exhibits regarding different First Ladies such as Mamie Eisenhower, Lady Bird Johnson, Pat Nixon, and Michelle Obama. Watch documentaries about the First Ladies and participate in lectures, live presentations, and special events. The library is located in the restored Victorian Saxton McKinley House, home of the former First Lady, Ida McKinley, who lived there during the period her husband, President William McKinley, served in the US. House of Representatives. Among the museum permanent exhibitions are some of the furnished rooms of the house. Mary Regula, the wife of Congressman Ralph Regula, recognized the lack of information and research materials regarding the First Ladies of the USA, and their influence throughout history. With the help of other women activists, Regula raised funds and established the National First Ladies’ Library in 1995. Read more...