sculptor Meredith Bergmann selected for new monument
SCULPTURE REHEARSAL NEWS
LexSeeHer held a Sculpture Rehearsal with Meredith Bergmann on 11.21.21. The purpose of the event was to see how the design looks and feels in context. A full-size mock-up (made from foam core, wood and a parachute for the plaza) represents what will eventually be made from bronze, steel and granite. The proposed monument will be a bas-relief with greater depth, and far greater detail than the mock-up from foam core. We collected comment cards from community members - and tourists who happened by:
"Lovely design. Inspiring and uplifting."
"Exciting display. Love the fact we are celebrating women of Lexington! A nice area to sit and rest and reflect."
"Thank you for making history more complete - and so beautifully! Bravo to all."
Ben and Rowan step into the arc of history
MereditH Bergmann selected by LexSeeHer as designer for new monument
The town of Lexington is one step closer to gaining a monument honoring women’s contributions throughout history. LexSeeHer is pleased to announce our selection of renowned artist Meredith Bergmann for the project.
“We were inspired by the talented artists who submitted proposals in response to our Call for Artists,” said LexSeeHer Co-Chair Jessie Steigerwald. “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.
“Meredith’s commitment to social justice and historical redress through sensitively conceived public art is exactly what we are looking for,” commented LexSeeHer Co-Chair Betty Gau. “We are thrilled to work with her on this exciting project for Lexington and women everywhere.”
Why a monument? “As the ‘Birthplace of American Liberty’, Lexington offers a wealth of history about men’s courageous acts,” observed LexSeeHer Finance Team member Michelle Tran.
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."
Amber Iqbal, member of the Nominations Subcommittee, 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.
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 Meredith's work.
From Meredith Bergmann:
“I’m thrilled— it’s such an honor to have been selected to work with the remarkable women of LexSeeHer on this celebration of the history of the bold women of Lexington. I am grateful that LexSeeHer chose my design, and I look forward to working with the community.”
Photo credit: Michael Bergmann
From Celeste Freeman, LexSeeHer Advisory Board Member
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.”
1769 Spinning Tableau: 45 Women bring history to light
LexSeeHer honors the 45 courageous women who defiantly protested unjust British taxation on the colony.
IT'S TIME TO see
women
in Lexington, MA
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.
Lexington Historical Society has partnered with LexSeeHer as a fiscal sponsor to help support this important initiative. Donations to the LexSeeHer monument project are held by Lexington Historical Society and overseen by both entities. Lexington Historical Society is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and contributions are tax deductible to the extent provided by law.
LexSeeHer QUILT
Founders Digital Quilt
Making more women visible!
november
Calendar:
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2021 Women's Visibility Banners on display in Lexington Center.
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11/16 Tuesday Commission on Disability, 6:00 p.m.
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11/18 Thursday approx. 9:15 a.m. Center Committee
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11/18 Thursday approx. 3:40 p.m. Tourism Committee
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12/2 Historic District Commission Time t.b.d.
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12/2 Monuments & Memorials approx. 7:00 p.m.
2021 WOMEN's Visibility banners with Troop 66265
Community members responded to our 2020 Open Nomination period and brought forward inspiring women were selected for our Digital Quilt Project and some were selected for street banners.
Please turn the carousel to see all of the banners and visit the Founders Digital Quilt.
Click on a banner to the far right and the wheel will spin.
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Tableau Vivant
45 courageous women took part in the
1769 Spinning Bee Tableau
August 31, 2021
See the 2021 Spinning Tableau
LexSeeHer has formally launched our fundraising campaign. We are thankful to the 400+ people who joined as Monument Founders. Each gift will make women visible:
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2021 Self-Guided Women's History Trail - Explore "In Her Shoes"
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2021 Visibility Banners in Lexington Center in partnership with Girl Scout Troop 66265
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2023 Permanent monument in Lexington Center to honor women and women's contributions to Lexington & to America
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2023 "Firsts" plaque will memorialize women in Lexington who were the first to serve in a variety of roles as elected officials and leaders
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Ongoing LexSeeHer Speaker Series amplifies the significant accomplishments of women
Details can be found on our Donors page, and contributions may be made online or by check. Our partnership with Lexington Historical Society launched on Patriots' Day 2021. Lexington Historical Society is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization and contributions are tax deductible to the extent provided by law.
Explore
"IN HEr sHOES"
Enjoy our expanding self-guided tour! Learn more about the women's history hidden in plain site as you discover the wonderful contributions women have made in Lexington. From educational pioneers who attended the Normal School, to abolitionists and suffragists, women's stories are waiting for you!
Start with a look at the CVS windows on Massachusetts Avenue. There you will find a wonderful timeline filled with important contributions made by Lexington women, especially with respect to women's suffrage!
From the Steering Committee
November 2021
Known across the globe as the birthplace of American liberty, Lexington residents are coordinating to make visible the many women who have contributed throughout time.
$50,000 Empowerment
Challenge
Fall Friends Drive:
A $50,000 challenge grant awaits new or returning donors! The LexSeeHer initiative is 100% privately funded. At a challenging economic time, we value every gift. From the children who have opened their piggy banks to join as founders, to the generous anonymous donor who has put forward a $50,000 matching grant, we feel the power in this project is in the widespread community support. We welcome support from Lexingtonians who have moved away, and from the kind people in other states and countries who believe it is significant to make sure that women are visible in the "Birthplace of American Liberty."
More than 100 people joined in as our earliest Founders during May 2021 and more than 300 joined by the June 2021 Founder deadline. These early contributions supported our Call to Artists and helped get the monument process off to a great start. This fall, in our second chapter, we hope you will join as a LexSeeHer Friend to help us reach our fundraising goal.
Let's make this monument a reality!
Support LexSeeHer With A Fun Visit To The Buckman Tavern Gift Shop!
Check out the cheerful new LexSeeHer items at the Buckman Tavern Gift Shop! Pens, pencils and necklaces offer great ways to support LexSeeHer and make women visible. Each LexSeeHer purchase at the gift shop supports both Lexington Historical Society and the LexSeeHer initiative make women visible.
Check out each milestone as we work together to make women visible!
Explore this website for ways to get involved, and follow us on Facebook and instagram. Send questions or ideas to: lexmonument@gmail.com.
Bringing a new monument to the birthplace of american liberty
LexSeeHer preferred monument site.
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