MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Statues of Rosa Parks and Helen Keller, pivotal figures who fought for justice and inspired change across the world, were unveiled on Friday at the Alabama Capitol.
The monuments honoring these two esteemed Alabamians are significant as they are the first statues of women to be placed on the Capitol's lawn, which historically has been home only to male figures, including several tributes to the Confederacy.
Representative Laura Hall, who sponsored the legislation for the monuments in 2019, emphasized the importance of showcasing the contributions of women in Alabama's history. Visitors need to see the full picture and the impact that women have played, she stated.
Rosa Parks, known as the mother of the modern civil rights movement, sparked a significant movement by refusing to give up her bus seat for a white passenger in 1955. Parks' courage led to the yearlong boycott of the Montgomery bus system, marking a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement.
Helen Keller, born on June 27, 1880, in Tuscumbia, Alabama, became deaf and blind as a young child. Despite her challenges, she became a prominent author and activist, advocating for workers' rights, women's rights, and the rights of people with disabilities.
The statue of Parks is strategically positioned by the Alabama Capitol steps, symbolically facing Dexter Avenue, the street where she transformed history in 1955, while the Keller statue looks towards the Alabama Statehouse.
This event marks the culmination of over six years of efforts by the Alabama Women’s Tribute Statue Commission to create and place these significant monuments. With these additions, lawmakers aim to broaden the narrative of Alabama's history, ensuring recognition is given to the vital contributions of women.
