The Women’s Suffrage Centennial Sculpture in Rockford, IL

Photo credit - Rockford Women's Suffrage Plaza

For the celebration of the centennial of the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the US constitution, which granted women their voting rights, the Women’s Suffrage Centennial 2020 committee (WSC2020), a coalition of civic and women’s advocacy organizations, planned a yearlong calendar of educational programs and artistic events celebrating this historic event.

During this year, WSC2020 organized the creation of the Women’s Centennial Sculpture. The mosaic artist Susan Burton designed and created it in collaboration with the community. With all the challenges enforced by the global Covid-19 pandemic, the monument was dedicated on October 31st, 2020.

The monument is 15-foot-tall and includes a three-panel tower and six surrounding benches. One panel depicts a Rockford suffragist and one of the movement leaders in Illinois, Kate F. O’Connor. The second panel features inspirational Rockford educator and activist Dr. Connie Goode, who fought for voting rights for all people of color. The last panel depicts the future—four young women representing different cultures and ethnicities who can freely express their voices.

The tower sits on a circular base with images of prominent US suffragists like Ida B. Wells and Sojourner Truth.

The six mosaic benches surrounding the central tower offer a gathering place overlooking the river bank.

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On the bank of the Rock River just south of the YMCA Log Lodge

 

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Tags: Landmarks of the US Suffrage Movement and Places in Illinois USA

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