Where in the Hudson Valley Contest: Bronze Statue of a Famous Human Rights Activist and First Lady

Leading lady: do you know where this bronze statue is located?

Do you recognize this face? The bronze likeness depicts one of the Valley’s (and country’s) most influential women. Based on a 1933 photograph, the statue was created by a team of 20 artists in Brooklyn. Since its installation at a local historic site in 2003, more than half a million tourists each year have stumbled upon this work of art, which shows this distinguished lady (number nine on Gallup’s list of the “Most Widely Admired People of the 20th Century”) smiling and relaxing on her lawn.

Although her husband was renowned for his political endeavors, his wife earned international kudos for her human rights work; she chaired the United Nations Commission on Human Rights from 1946 to 1951. She was especially popular among women; during her husband’s time in office, she presided over close to 350 women-only press conferences, during which she spoke directly to her audience on pertinent issues such as prenatal care, working conditions, and equal rights legislation. And Americans of both sexes loved reading “My Day,” her daily newspaper column in which she shared her thoughts on a variety of topics, both political (Prohibition; a women’s place in the military) and domestic (the joys of gardening at her Hyde Park home).

In 1962, at the age of 78, this trailblazer passed away; her legacy, however, continues. Girls’ Leadership Worldwide, an international program for high school-aged girls, is held locally each year. The program honors this legendary first lady and continues her work in promoting women’s leadership, social justice, and human rights.

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If you think you know the spot where this stately statue resides, submit your answer as a comment in the box below. The first reader with the correct response wins a prize. Good luck!

» Give up? Find the contest answer in our April issue

 

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