MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Statues of Rosa Parks and Helen Keller will be unveiled on Friday at the Alabama Capitol, honoring two native Alabamians who made significant contributions to social justice and advocacy for marginalized communities. Parks was a leader in the civil rights movement, while Keller was a beacon for the rights of individuals with disabilities.
This is a notable first, as these statues represent the first female figures to be honored on the Capitol's lawn, which has historically featured monuments commemorating the Confederacy. Lawmakers aim to provide a more comprehensive view of Alabama's history by recognizing influential women in the state.
Rep. Laura Hall, who championed the legislation in 2019 to authorize these monuments, emphasized the importance of including women's narratives, stating, Visitors should see the full picture and the impact that women have played in our history.
Known as the mother of the modern civil rights movement, Parks made history by refusing to give up her bus seat for a white passenger on December 1, 1955, sparking a pivotal year-long boycott of Montgomery's segregated buses. On the other hand, Keller overcame immense challenges after becoming deaf and blind early in life, going on to influence global advocacy for women and the disabled.
The locations of the statues are intentionally significant; Parks' statue faces Dexter Avenue, the street where her brave act of defiance occurred, while Keller's honors her legacy as a fighter for social justice.
These installations are the culmination of over six years of efforts by the Alabama Women's Tribute Statue Commission, which has worked diligently to honor the contributions of women in the state.
