Columbus Citizens Foundation Applauds The City's "She Built NYC" Initiative And The Upcoming Statue In Honor Of U.S. Rep Shirley Chisholm

NEW YORK, Dec. 12, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Columbus Citizens Foundation congratulates New York City's First Lady Chirlane McCray, and the entire DiBlasio Administration, on the announcement of a permanent monument to U.S. Rep Shirley Chisholm.  The statue of Chisholm is set to be installed at the Parkside entrance to Prospect Park in Brooklyn by the end of 2020.

Chisholm was a New Yorker of determination and historical significance, remarkable as not only the first black Congresswoman, but as the first woman to seek the Democratic presidential nomination.  The monument is the first for "She Built NYC", a new initiative dedicated to the construction of monuments throughout the five boroughs dedicated to New York City women who have changed history.

Marian Pardo, President of the Columbus Citizens Foundation, said of the City's recent announcement: "It is wonderful for the Mayor's office to focus on the many trailblazing women that are a part of our rich history as Americans. This is a positive announcement. We are all much happier to be celebrating the creation of new public monuments, rather than debating the removal of statues that have an important history in our great city."

The statue of Chisholm is set to be the first of several monuments with a mission to address the lack of New York City statues that celebrate women of historical importance.  Among the list of female New Yorkers in consideration by "She Built NYC" for future monuments is Saint Francesca Xavier Cabrini. In fact, Cabrini was the historical figure who received the highest amount of votes from the public in the committee's open voting.

Columbus Citizens Foundation President Pardo commented; "We look forward to celebrating this long overdue tribute to Shirley Chisholm, along with all New Yorkers. Chisholm's triumph over adversity is an inspiration to us all. As CCF President, I look forward to future monuments of great female figures to come. I hope to garner support among New Yorkers for the "She Built NYC" committee to consider Cabrini as their next monument, given the vital role she played in the late 19^th century, not only for Italian Americans, but for all immigrants to New York City in a time of great need."

ABOUT THE COLUMBUS CITIZENS FOUNDATION

The Columbus Citizens Foundation is a non-profit organization in New York City committed to fostering an appreciation of Italian-American heritage and achievement.  The Foundation, through a broad range of philanthropic and cultural activities, provides opportunities for advancement to deserving Italian-American students through various scholarship and grant programs. The Foundation organizes New York City's annual Columbus Celebration and Columbus Day Parade, which has celebrated Italian-American heritage on New York's Fifth Avenue since 1929. For more information, contact [email protected]

CONTACT:
Jefferson Wilson, Director of Marketing & Communications
Columbus Citizens Foundation
Phone:(212)249-9923 x242
Fax:(212)737-4413
[email protected]
www.columbuscitizens.org

SOURCE Columbus Citizens Foundation

Related Links

http://www.columbuscitizensfd.org