Excerpted from Columbus Dispatch, March 25, 2026, Amanda Bayo - A monument honoring women's contributions to Ohio history moved a step closer to reality on March 25 as state leaders, supporters and artists gathered at the Ohio Statehouse for a ceremonial groundbreaking.
The Ohio Women's Monument, planned for the Statehouse's South Plaza, has been 7 years in the making and is expected to be completed by fall. Leaders involved in this development say the project aims to address a long-standing gap in how women are represented in public spaces.
"Less than 8% of statues depict real women nationally," said former Ohio Sen. Stephanie Kunze, who initiated the effort. "We cannot be what we cannot see." She called the project "a dream realized" after years of planning and advocacy.
The monument is expected to be only the second on statehouse grounds in the nation dedicated to women, according to organizers. It will highlight the role women have played in shaping Ohio, with ties to the fight for voting rights and the 19th Amendment.
Gov. Mike DeWine and first lady Fran DeWine were among those in attendance, along with state and community leaders and representatives from the Capitol Square Foundation. "The focus of this is really on giving women the right to vote, but it really represents all women," Gov. DeWine said. The idea for the monument dates back to the COVID-19 pandemic, when plans to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, that women the right to vote, were largely disrupted. Looking for a lasting way to mark the milestone, organizers proposed a permanent monument on Statehouse grounds. Ohio's monument will reflect the state's long history in the women's rights movement, from early conventions in the 1800s to its role in ratifying the 19th Amendment in 1919. The design, by artist Brenda Councill, includes multiple bronze figures representing Ohio women across generations, along with an empty column intended to symbolize future achievements.
Kristie Dukes Davis, a board member for the Ohio Arts Council, said "I hope that schools will make this a destination. It's not only historical, but for them to understand it wasn’t too long ago that we didn’t have the right." Davis added that the monument is meant to do more than reflect the past, but inspire change.
Organizers said the project has received significant financial backing, including a $1 million anonymous donation, and will include ongoing educational programming once completed. The installation will also recognize figures such as Jo Ann Davidson, the first woman to serve as speaker of the Ohio House.
The monument will be located on the south side of the Statehouse grounds, across from the Ohio Theatre, an area that sees heavy foot traffic from visitors and downtown workers.
Story by reporter Amani Bayo. For full story and photos go to HERE. Amani Bayo can be reached at abayo [at] dispatch.com.
