Amelia P. Hatfield Witherstine – Statues For Equality Project
The First woman elected to office in Rochester!
Background: and additional information:
First woman elected to the Rochester School Board in 1911
First woman President of the Rochester School Board from 1914-1923
First woman to serve on a jury in Olmsted County
Statues For Equality is an international movement to increase the representation of women in public art by creating everlasting bronze statues of some of the most inspirational women of our time. Statues For Equality honors women’s contributions to society and spreads their inspiration to the world. International artists Gillie and Marc created Statues For Equality after a reflection of their own work. They discovered that over the past 15 years they had many sculpture commissions of men but only 1% of women.
Mayor Kim Norton was introduced to the project at an International Day of the Woman Conference and brought the project to Rochester, MN. A committee of dedicated volunteers is working together to make the project a reality. The committee has selected Amelia P. Hatfield Witherstine as the subject for the statue, additionally the contributions of many Rochester area women will be honored through this project.
Thank you to the three Rochester Rotary Clubs, the Owatonna Rotary Club, and individuals who donated a total of $3000 for the Statues for Equality project.
The Rotary District 5960 recently awarded a $3000 matching grant for the Statues For Equality, Rochester, MN project, which features Amelia P. Hatfield Witherstine.
These grant donations, totaling $6000, will be used to purchase and install in Central Park the base for a bronze statue recognizing and celebrating the contributions of women in the Rochester community and inspiring future generations to commit themselves to a life of service. Thank you to Lois Nelson of the Owatonna Rotary Club who agreed to lead this Statues Rotary grant application.
Presented by Mayor Kim Norton and Judy Hickey, Greater Rochester Arts and Cultural Trust, CEO
September 18, 2024
Greater Rochester Rotary Meeting
Date: Wednesday, September 18, 2024
Time: Noon
Location: Residence Inn