Amanda Matthews of Prometheus Art Selected to Create Nellie Bly Monument

The Single Monument Features Five Women of Distinct Backgrounds to Represent Diversity and Equality

Named After Bly's Work "The Girl Puzzle", Bly's Words Engraved Behind Each Statue

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Governor Kathy Hochul today appear the opening of The Girl Puzzle Monument Honoring Nellie Bly on Roosevelt Island in Manhattan. The monument was designed by Amanda Matthews of Prometheus Art to illuminate women who accept endured hardship but are stronger for it.

"Equally the commencement woman to e'er serve equally Governor of the State of New York, I'm proud to lead the country that was the birthplace of the fight for women's rights,"said Governor Hochul. "This monument, with its five faces representing the broad variety of and then many women, will provide a poignant educational and meaningful destination for visitors to reverberate on our shared history and call up that women'south rights are human rights."

The monument consists of 5 towering bronze faces depicting not just Bly, but 4 other faces in various patinas representing Asian American, Blackness, young, older, and queer women. Visitors to The Girl Puzzle will notice that some faces seem to be in pieces, while others appear to have had cracks repaired. This represents the prevalence of women being broken by the world effectually them yet, having the strength to repair themselves. Engraved behind each face up are words written by Bly, representing the spirit and complication of women and their stories.

It was Bly's words that fabricated her famous and the monument is named subsequently her outset published work, "The Girl Puzzle." At the heart of the monument are 3 silvery globes honoring Bly's groundbreaking journalistic career that saw her phonation grow from a columnist at a local Pittsburgh newspaper, to writing and after making headlines in Joseph Pulitzer'due south New York Earth.

Her most celebrated work, "X Days in a Mad-House," published in 1887, is considered the first piece of investigative journalism and is the reason that Bly could easily be considered one of Roosevelt Island'due south near influential historical figures. Feigning insanity, Bly gained admittance to the problematic Blackwell Island Asylum. Based on her time there, Bly reported on the deplorable weather for New York World while bringing to light the incredible stories of women she met in that location.

The aviary, now an flat building, sits merely south of the poignant monument which serves every bit a beacon, like the lighthouse it sits below at the northern tip of Roosevelt Isle. Visitors to the monument will be able to fully interact with the one-half-ton sculptures in a number of ways including an audio tour and Braille plaques.

President and CEO of Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) Shelton J. Haynes said, "We are proud to be leading the charge in back up of statues featuring women, having commissioned such an of import work of art representing women and equality. This, coupled with our landmarked Blackwell House and iconic Tramway makes Roosevelt Island an exceptional destination where history, education, and current events intertwine. We're so proud to business firm this important and monumental monument that all New Yorkers can take pride in."

Artist Amanda Matthews said, "Nellie Bly was a transformative effigy in modernistic history. Highly regarded as America'due south start investigative journalist, she dedicated her life to understanding the plight of those who exist in the margins and dismantling systems of oppression. She is best known as a champion for women and girls and opposed the notion of women as subordinate by powerfully rewriting this narrative. The Girl Puzzle monument honors the title of her starting time published work in 1885, a assuming and unvarnished response to discrimination, and her life-irresolute experiences in the Blackwell Isle Women's Asylum (at present Roosevelt Island) that shaped her life of dedication and empathy for others."

Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney said, "Nellie Bly was a trailblazing investigative journalist who told individuals' stories that may not have been told otherwise. Nellie wrote well-nigh the marginalized, oppressed, and disadvantaged and often risked her life or went hush-hush to practise so. I am proud that Governor Hochul and the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation are honoring her legacy by opening the Girl Puzzle Monument."

Senator Jose Serrano said, "I'm thrilled that this monument honoring the iconic Nellie Bly and women and girls from all walks of life will be available for residents and visitors to experience on Roosevelt Island. Art can be a significant catalyst for social change, and representation is critically of import equally we continue the fight for equal civil and human rights for all women in New York and across the world. I thank Governor Kathy Hochul, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation, and Amanda Matthews for making The Girl Puzzle Monument a reality on Roosevelt Island."

 Assembly Fellow member Rebecca Seawright said, "Nellie Bly is not but a monumental Roosevelt Isle Historical effigy, she was i of the foremost mettlesome female journalists in the US. It was her boldness, marvel, and independent spirit that set her autonomously to uncover injustices in our gild. I commend the Artist Amanda Matthews for bringing this Nellie Bly to life on Roosevelt Island.

Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer said, "Nellie Bly dedicated her life to telling the truth and exposing wrongdoing and her writing sparked reform. The Girl Puzzle Monument not only honors Bly's historic and significant contributions, just likewise those of Asian American, Black, young, quondam, and queer woman. I'm grateful to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation for commissioning this monument, appropriately located in Roosevelt Island, the location of one of her groundbreaking pieces of investigative journalism, and putting Roosevelt Island on the map as leading the charge to accolade New York State's remarkable women."

New York City Council Fellow member Ben Kallos said, "The Girl Puzzle Monument is a striking piece that brings attention to a history of hardship endured past women, old, young, black, Asian, immigrant, and queer, and their resiliency. I am proud to have allocated $70,000 for accessible elements of the piece that let those of the disability community to feel the Monument, as well equally a more than interactive feel for all visitors. At that place is nothing similar the Girl Puzzle Monument in this Metropolis and it has the power to become a truthful destination on Roosevelt Island. I can't await to take my girl to experience the piece."

Well-nigh Roosevelt Isle Operating Corporation (RIOC)

The Roosevelt Isle Operating Corporation (RIOC) was created in 1984 past the Country of New York as a public benefit corporation with a mission to plan, design, develop, operate, and maintain Roosevelt Island. With a focus on innovative and environmentally friendly solutions, RIOC is committed to providing services that raise the island'due south residential community. RIOC manages the 2-mile-long island's roads, parks, buildings, a sports facility, and public transportation, including the iconic Roosevelt Island Tramway. Additionally, RIOC operates a Public Prophylactic Department that helps maintain a safe and secure environment for residents, employees, business owners, and visitors.

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Source: https://www.iloveny.com/thebeat/post/governor-hochul-announces-opening-of-the-girl-puzzle-monument-honoring-nellie-bly/

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