IT'S TIME TO see women in Lexington, MA JOIN US & MAKE HERSTORY!

MONUMENTAL MAY 2022

Where do Lexington's trailblazing "Ladies" belong?
LexSeeHer believes women's contributions should be celebrated in significant and important locations that are accessible!  

LexSeeHer is a dedicated group of volunteers in Lexington, MA, who seek to establish the first monument that will depict real women in the Birthplace of American Liberty.  The monument will convey the important economic, social, and political impact women have had over more than three centuries. It will also raise questions about what “liberty” and “freedom” have meant to women from the 18th century to the present. 

Show your support for the concept and location of the new monument: 
Write a letter to the Select Board, sign the petition, or both!  Become part of our history by lending your voice. And we would welcome your financial contribution as well!

"Something Is Being Done!" Meredith Bergmann, Sketch 2022

MEREDITH BERGMANN selected by LexSeeHer as designer for new monument

Community reactions to Ms. Bergmann's elegant and inclusive monument design "Something Is Being Done!"

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"Lovely design. Inspiring and uplifting."

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"Exciting display. Love the fact we are celebrating women of Lexington! A nice area to sit and rest and reflect." 

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"Thank you for making history more complete - and so beautifully! Bravo to all."

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From Celeste Freeman, LexSeeHer Advisory Board Member

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LexSeeHer advisor and public school educator Celeste Freeman summed up her reaction to Meredith Bergmann’s concept this way: “‘And when I meet Thomas Jefferson, I’ma compel him to include women in the sequel!’ This musical line from Lin Manuel’s Hamilton has been reverberating in my mind when I think of how gates and gatekeepers are often used to keep people out both physically from spaces as well as the pages of what we think of as of known history. One of the exciting aspects of this project is that this gate is actually an invitation—an opening to everyone to visually see a more expansive view of what we think of as settled history. When I think of the role of generations of unsung women like my grandmothers who serve as both guardians and gatekeepers of history, I can’t think of a more meaningful and symbolic way to capture how our founding mothers have shaped our nation. I see it as a portal to the past, present, and future.”

MONUMENTAL UPDATES!

Thank you to our community supporters:

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• Association of Black Citizens of Lexington

• D.A.R. Lexington Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution

• CAAL Chinese American Association of Lexington

• CALex 

• Chamber of Commerce (Lexington)

• Indian American Association of Lexington​

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• KOLex - Korean-American Organization of Lexington 

• Lexington Arts and Crafts Society

• Lexington Field and Garden Club

• Lexington Historical Society​

• LexPride

• Lextinas

• Merriam Hill Association

• New England Sculptors Association

• Pilgrim Church Council​

The town of Lexington is steps closer to gaining a monument honoring women’s contributions throughout history. LexSeeHer announced our selection of renowned artist Meredith Bergmann for the project in November 2021.

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LexSeeHer President, Jessie Steigerwald, said, “Meredith Bergmann distinguished herself by proposing an innovative, inclusive concept that beautifully conveys the many interconnected ways Lexington women have advanced liberty.” A preliminary sketch depicts the design in place in the center of historic Lexington, alongside Massachusetts Avenue and near the following landmarks: Buckman Tavern, the Lexington Battle Green, Cary Memorial Library, the Visitors Center and the Minuteman Bikeway.

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Amber Iqbal, Nominations Subcommittee Member and Steering Committee Founder, commented, "I love this design and the diversity of the women chosen. Meredith portrays each of the historical women elegantly, showing both their struggles and triumphs." Learn more about the women on our website.

Why a monument? “As the ‘Birthplace of American Liberty’, Lexington offers a wealth of history about men’s courageous acts,” observed Michelle Tran, LexSeeHer's Secretary and Steering Committee Founder.

MarthaLeticia Valencia, co-chair of the Events Team, shared, "Meredith's preliminary sketch depicts many of the women who have contributed to the history of Lexington."

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Learn more about the design and the women who inspired it!

LexSeeHer proposes a privately funded monument for a highly visible location in our community. We are following the local government process to seek approval for the new monument. Recent updates:

• 12/28/21: Commission on Disability voted unanimously in support of proposed monument, plaza and site

• 1/22: Monuments & Memorials Committee voted in support of budget threshold of 90%.

• 2/3/22: Center Committee voted unanimously in support of proposed monument.

• 2/10/22: Historic Districts Commission voted in favor of Certificate of Appropriateness with request for follow-up on specific issue, including axial rotation.

• 2/14/22: LexSeeHer and HDC liaison held site visit to review axial rotation.

• 3/1/22: LexSeeHer provided presentation at Council for the Arts.

• 3/31/22: Tourism Committee votes in support of monument but opposes sitting at "Site 15".

• 4/7/22: Monuments & Memorials Committee takes two votes (a) in support of monument (b) not in favor of Site 15. Chair suggests LexSeeHer find "less offensive" site.

• April - May  Site Visits
  Gathering input

“Meredith’s commitment to social justice and historical redress through sensitively conceived public art is exactly what we are looking for,” commented Betty Gau, a LexSeeHer Steering Committee Founder. “We are thrilled to work with her on this exciting project for Lexington and women everywhere.”

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The work recognizes that “liberty” means different things to different people: Freedom from British tyranny, enslavement, and gender norms, for example. And freedom to live our authentic lives and pursue our passions.
 

The monument covers Lexington history from the years just preceding the Battle of Lexington to 2020.  Visit www.MeredithBergmann.com for examples of Ms. Bergmann's work.

LexSeeHer is a dedicated group of volunteers in Lexington, MA, who seek to establish the first monument that will depict real women in the Birthplace of American Liberty.  The monument will convey the important economic, social, and political impact women have had over more than three centuries. It will also raise questions about what “liberty” and “freedom” have meant to women from the 18th century to the present. 

2021 WOMEN's Visibility banners with Troop 66265