The unveiling, which had been scheduled for last summer but was delayed due to the pandemic, will feature several notable speakers, including Mayor John Cranley, Hamilton County Commission President Stephanie Summerow Dumas and Councilwoman Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney. You knew you were working with somebody who was strong and dedicated." "She was congenial and friendly, but at the same time, she could get things done. Schneider said she was able to get to know Spencer before she passed while they worked together at the Woman's City Club. View Gallery: Marian Spencer, a pioneering Cincinnati politician and activist "This was the easiest fundraising I've done because, again, she was just so well-liked and inspired people," Schneider said. The club raised $175,000 from 250 donations – well above their initial goal of $125,000. I think she'll be an example for young people in the city." Schneider said. "It'll attract young people to the statue and show what can be accomplished. People might already be familiar with Tsuchiya's work like the bronze statues of Cincinnati Reds players at Great American Ball Park.Ĭomplementing the life-size replica of Spencer, the sculptors elected to add two children beside the late activist to symbolize her work with youth and how she will continue to inspire future generations. Tom Tsuchiya and Gina Erardi are the sculptors. There are statues of women, like the Genius of Water in Fountain Square, but they're not based on historic figures. There are maybe close to 100 statues of men in and around Cincinnati and not one of a named, real woman," Schneider said. "It's been a dream of mine to have a statue of a woman. Spencer Statue Committee, said Spencer has continued to break through barriers even after her death by becoming the first woman to be immortalized in this way. She was also a co-founder of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.Ī look back: Marian Spencer, segregation fighter who later served on Cincinnati City Council, dies at age 99Īlice Schneider, a member of the Woman's City Club and chair of the Marian A. She had leadership roles on Cincinnati City Council, the NAACP, the University of Cincinnati and Woman's City Club. Spencer, who died in 2019, is most remembered for leading the charge to desegregate Coney Island and Cincinnati Public Schools. The sculpture, commissioned by the Woman's City Club, will be unveiled at Smale Park on Sunday from 5 to 6 p.m. Marian Spencer, a civil rights activist with a "spine of steel" who led local desegregation efforts, will be honored this weekend with the city's first public sculpture modeled after a real woman.
The story has been updated to correctly identify The Woman's City Club of Greater Cincinnati.