Women’s Rights Pioneers Monument

What to know

The Women’s Rights Pioneers Monument is a significant bronze sculptural composition located at the northwest corner of Literary Walk on the southern end of the Central Park Mall. Created by sculptor Meredith Bergmann, the monument features one standing and two seated figures, all of whom are depicted as over life-size figures on an integral plinth and pedestal. Dedicated on August 26, 2020, the monument commemorates the centennial of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote. The project was donated by the nonprofit organization Monumental Women, which began working to secure a prominent location for the statue in 2014. This installation marks a historic milestone, as it is the first statue in Central Park's 167-year history to depict actual women. Sculptor Meredith Bergmann captures the three pioneers in active roles: Sojourner Truth is shown speaking, Susan B. Anthony is depicted organizing, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton is shown writing. All three women were New Yorkers and contemporaries who fought for women's rights. By joining the ranks of figures like William Shakespeare and Robert Burns on the southern end of the Mall, the monument brings a long-overdue representation of women's history to one of the park's most famous walkways.

Visitor tips

• Allow a few minutes to read the inscriptions on the plinth and pedestal to understand the significance of the 19th Amendment.
• Visit during the early morning to avoid the crowds that typically gather on the Central Park Mall.
• Wear comfortable walking shoes as the monument is located along the pedestrian-only Literary Walk.

Nearby context

The monument is situated on the southern end of the Mall in Central Park, placing it at the northwest corner of Literary Walk, where it stands alongside other literary giants like William Shakespeare and Robert Burns.