Sculptor Meredith Bergmann is bringing Lexington’s historic women from the past into the present in the new women’s monument commissioned by LexSeeHer, Inc. The work includes more than twenty women from the 18th century forward, each representing women’s contributions to the community, Commonwealth and country. The granite plaza is expected to be installed in October 2023, with the bronze sculpture added in the spring with an official Unveiling Ceremony in May 2024. Information can be found at lexseeher.com.
Research Team
LexSeeHer, Inc. is the non-profit organization who initiated the drive for a new monument to include women in the narrative of Lexington’s history, and they are responsible for funding the project. Ms. Bergmann’s concept made it possible to celebrate women’s economic, political, intellectual, social and cultural contributions.
To better illustrate each woman’s contributions, LexSeeHer established a Research Team. Team member Leslie Masson has spent three years learning about Margaret Tulip’s life, family, and Freedom Suit. Margaret sued the man who wrongfully enslaved her, and she won her court case. Ms. Masson also located Margaret’s 8th-generation descendants. Yvonne Goldsberry, James Goldsberry, and Carol Tucker have connected their family stories to the project, showing Margaret’s 300+ year legacy.
Astrophysicist Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin is well known to many scientists but not as well known throughout Lexington. LexSeeHer hosted Cecilia’s granddaughter as part of their ongoing and free Speaker Series. This May, members of the Research Team visited Thom Burns, Curator of Astronomical Photographs, at the Center for Astrophysics, Harvard & Smithsonian. Mr. Burns provided a tour of spaces that Professor Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin used as a teacher and scientist.
To some Lexingtonians, Cecilia was an unassuming parent who volunteered to bring snacks for a school gathering. And for others, she was recognized as a leading astrophysicist whose ground-breaking work is as important as any of the country’s most luminescent scientific minds. Cecilia discovered the composition of the stars. She became the first female department head at Harvard, where she mentored other scientists.
LexSeeHer is currently working with family members of Marge Battin, Sally Harkness, Sylvia Ferrell-Jones, and Janet Haas, who have generously shared photos and stories to inform Meredith Bergmann’s work. If you would like to help the Research Team, or have memories or stories about any of the other women in the monument, reach out to lexmonument@gmail.com.
Abigail Harrington, Anna Harrington, Caroline Wellington, Eliza Follen, Ellen Adelia Stone, Jr., Julia Robbins Barrett, Mary Elizabeth Miles Bibb, Peggy Kimball, Phebe Banister Burdoo, Ruth Buckman, Ruth Morey
Sweetheart Campaign
LexSeeHer, Inc. is the non-profit organization that initiated the drive for a new monument and is responsible for funding the project.
On Valentine’s Day. LexSeeHer, Inc. launched the “Sweetheart Campaign” to keep up with increased project expenses caused by the pandemic. Martha Wood, Vice President of Development, shared, “Was it disappointing to have costs escalate by 60% due to inflation and the shortages caused by the pandemic? Indeed! But, as Anna Harrington said the morning of the Battle, ‘Something Must Be Done’ so we are doing that work and reaching out to community members.”
Jessie Steigerwald, LexSeeHer President, noted, “residents, visitors and community organizations share that they are inspired to help tell the stories of Lexington’s unsung and unheralded women. Some identify with our honorees: a scientist, architects, educators, volunteers, abolitionists, suffragists, readers, reformers, advocates, activists and artists.” Wood continues, “We are making progress, with donations from $5.00 to $5,000. Individuals and businesses see this as an opportunity to help put women on the map.”
First Parish, LexFun! and the Maria Hastings PTO are among the organizations who have contributed in LexSeeHer’s third campaign, along with local Girl Scout Troops and Enterprise Bank.