Prior to Statues for Equality, only 5 of 150 total statues of historical figures in New York City depicted women. On August 26th, 2019, that number tripled to 15, with the addition of Cate Blanchett, Gabby Douglas, Tracy Dyson, Jane Goodall, Nicole Kidman, Janet Mock, P!nk, Cheryl Strayed, Tererai Trent, and Oprah Winfrey. You can see all of these statues displayed together in Lower Manhattan, near the South Street Seaport.
These 10 statues are just a start, though. Statues for Equality is an ongoing public art project by artist team Gillie and Marc, who accept nominations and donations for future statues. The next statue has already been announced: Justice Ginsberg. Their long-term goal is to make female representation in public art equal to that of men, creating a full pantheon of women for future generations to admire.
My hope for the future of this project is to see more site-specific sculptures to inspire local pride. How about a statue of activist Jane Jacobs in the West Village, or photographer Alice Austen on Staten Island's North Shore? Visitors to the Algonquin Hotel could tip their hat to writer Dorothy Parker as they walk by, and trailblazing politician Shirley Chisholm could forever represent her Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn neighborhood. Who would you like to see?
Probably the best thing about this project is that it opens the conversation for new possibilities. The canvas is blank, the bronze is yet un-cast. A whole world of women's history is yet to be told, and made, with these sculptures.
Find your way with 304 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
S&P Sandwich Shop, opened in 1928, serves Jewish classics like matzoh ball soup and latkes in a nostalgic setting that feels like stepping back in time. A must-visit!
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"Rubenstein Atrium" in New York's Lincoln Center has a free performance every Thursday night. I recommend you try to arrive around 18:30 to catch a seat.
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Games of Professional Baseball in New York doesn't just mean watching the Yankees play and paying 100s of dollars: watch a Class A game for much cheaper!
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"Gray's Papaya" in New York equals classic hot dogs. This place has been here at least 45 years, and it's easy to see why. Great people-watching spot too.
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"Revson Fountain" at the Lincoln Center in NYC is one of the results of the renovation that started in 2006. It's spectacular and a must-see!
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"Paris Cinema", est. 1948, is the last single screen cinema in NYC today; what irony that it was saved from closing by Netflix itself...
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The White Clam Sauce linguine is classic. So much is served that what can’t be eaten on the spot can be taken home and easily reheated the next day,
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At the "American Legion Post 398" in New York City I get to hear jazz played the old fashioned way, Harlem in the '30s, '40s and '50s...
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"A Great Day in Harlem" is an important photo of 58 jazz greats taken in 1958 in NYC. The building on 126th Street where it was taken is still there...
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The 13-mile Hudson River Greenway in NYC, which begins at the George Washington Bridge, is the most heavily used bike trail in the USA...
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"New Plaza Cinema" in NYC has one mission: to show independent, foreign and classic films. It is run by a grassroots group; how long will it survive?
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