SECRET SCULPTURE
Adelaide Johnson sculpted the Suffrage Monument; placement: basement.
On August 26, 1920, the United States Constitution was amended to allow women to vote. Sen Harry Burn, McMinn County, Tennessee, honored his mother’s wishes and swung Tennessee’s vote to favor ratification.
Sarah Adeline “Adelaide” Johnson sculpted the Portrait Monument to Lucretia Mott, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Susan B. Anthony. It was created from a solid 16,000-pound marble block, and topped by busts of the suffrage leaders. The inscription on the base read: “Woman, first denied a soul, then called mindless, now arisen declared herself an entity to be reckoned with.” The National Women’s Party donated the sculpture to the United States Capitol; it was placed in the capitol rotunda, and dedicated on February 15, 1921. After two days, the inscription was chiseled off and the sculpture was moved to the crypt in the basement of the capitol.
After many years, private funds were raised to restore the statue to its rightful place of honor. On Mother’s Day, 1997, the statue was brought back to the rotunda. Just after midnight on Mother’s Day, it was lowered into place. A champagne and pizza celebration was held; the three courageous, persevering women were saluted. In June, 1997, the suffrage monument in the rotunda was re-dedicated.
Thanks to the National Women’s History Museum for featuring this inspiring story in its publication, A Different Point of View.
