Mothers of Gynecology Monument

Mothers of Gynecology Monument
Map
ArtistMichelle Browder
Year2021 (2021)
LocationMontgomery, Alabama, United States
Coordinates32°22′15″N 86°18′35″W / 32.370963°N 86.309693°W / 32.370963; -86.309693

The Mothers of Gynecology Monument by Michelle Browder was unveiled in Montgomery, Alabama, on September 24, 2021.[1][2] It is located at 17 Mildred Street, near the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, and is 15 feet (4.6 m) tall.[3] The statues depict Anarcha Westcott, Betsey, and Lucy, three enslaved women who were patients of controversial doctor and "father of gynecology" J. Marion Sims, whose office was nearby.[4] The statues were made from discarded metal objects—the artist asked for contributions from the public—"to symbolize how Black women have been treated and to demonstrate the beauty in the broken and discarded."[3]

On February 16, 2022, the Medical Association of the State of Alabama visited the monument and presented Browder with a $15,000 donation.[5][6]

  1. ^ Davis, Bethany (September 24, 2021). "'Mothers of Gynecology' monument to be unveiled Friday". WSFA. Archived from the original on 2021-09-30. Retrieved 2021-09-30.
  2. ^ "'Mothers of Gynecology'. Montgomery statues to honor enslaved women". Montgomery Advertiser. Montgomery, Alabama. 27 Sep 2021. p. A1.
  3. ^ a b McGregor, Deborah Kuhn (Jan 31, 2022). "J. Marion Sims". Encyclopedia of Alabama. Archived from the original on April 6, 2022. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
  4. ^ Pillion, Dennis (2021-09-27). "Monument to 'Mothers of Gynecology' unveiled in Montgomery". AL.com. Archived from the original on 2021-09-28. Retrieved 2021-09-30.
  5. ^ Harper, Brad (17 Feb 2022). "Alabama doctors honor enslaved women [1 of 2]". Montgomery Advertiser. Montgomery, Alabama. p. A1.
  6. ^ Harper, Brad (17 Feb 2022). "Alabama doctors honor enslaved women [2 of 2]". Montgomery Advertiser. Montgomery, Alabama. p. A2.