Rockford's Only Monument to Women

Celebrate Women's History Month

A presentation celebrating the centennial of women's suffrage via the ratification of the 19th Amendment and how Rockford's only monument/sculpture to women was created.

Everyone is welcome to attend this presentation by the Rockford Women's Suffrage Plaza Steering Committee as RPL celebrates Women's History Month and USA's 250 years as a nation! Rockford's only monument to women honors both local and national women for their involvement, leadership and influential careers.

Attendees can expect to learn how 13 organizations joined to fundraise and create a celebration of the centennial of women's suffrage and the ratification of the 19th US Constitutional Amendment. The first-of-its-kind sculpture honoring women in Northern Illinois was designed by mosaic artist Susan Burton and pieced together by more than 200 local volunteers during the COVID Pandemic. The sculpture site, Rockford Women's Suffrage Plaza, located at the Riverfront of the YMCA, 200 Y Boulevard, was dedicated October 31, 2020. In 2021 six curved benches were added with mosaic scenes of the community and the words of the 19th Amendment.

Learn why the three-sided composition features Kate F. O'Connor, Dr. Constance Goode and "future voters." Review the workbook written for students, parents and educators, which answers questions about voting rights, national and local activists and the ladies depicted on the sculpture. There will also be a brief question/answer/discussion session while time allows. Free bookmarks with QR codes will be given to attendees.

Rockford Public Library's East Branch, located at 6685 East State Street, offers easy, ground-level access and free parking.

This program was made possible through Rockford Public Library's partnership with Winnebago Boone Counties Genealogical Society.

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