“Celebrating Naomi Anderson” is a project of the Michigan City Mainstreet Association, in partnership with NAACP of La Porte County Unit 3601, Lubeznik Center for the Arts, and Unity Foundation of La Porte County. The project received support from a Preserving Women’s Legacy Grant, a program of the Indiana Women’s Suffrage Centennial presented by Indiana Humanities and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs through funding from the State of Indiana.
The project celebrates the life and achievements of Naomi Bowman Talbert Anderson, noted 19th century African American suffragist, civil rights activist and writer. Born in 1843 and raised in Michigan City, Anderson was celebrated throughout America as an early suffragist and civil rights activist, author and orator. She appeared frequently with women’s rights leaders such as Susan B. Anthony. She died in 1899.
Nationally noted artist Bernard Williams was commissioned to create a large narrative sculpture, now installed at Charles Westcott Park. The sculpture will be unveiled in March.
Williams is known for large works that emerge out of documents from libraries and archives. He searches for intriguing hidden narratives and symbols that place their subjects in larger, frequently turbulent historical framework. Williams’s major sculptures can be seen in Chicago, Dallas and Indianapolis. He has served on the faculty of the School of the Art Institute, Chicago. Williams’s studio is located in LaPorte, Indiana.
“I want people to see many elements of the achievements of Ms. Naomi Anderson and become inspired by her worthiness, intelligence and persistence in this struggle, which was a turning point for women and humanity. Many recognizable elements in this work, including figures of suffragists, children, signs, words, and arts and cultural items can be enjoyed by visitors of all ages,” says Williams.
“Even my use of steel will be a metaphor for the right to vote. In the 70 year struggle, women were jailed. They had to be made of steel!” says Williams.
“Our hope is that this highly visible work will convey messages of hope, success and the human potential for good to everyone who encounters it,” says Michigan City Mainstreet Association President Arturo Pozos.
The library thanks the “Celebrating Naomi Anderson” committee for providing the materials and images related to the project.
