“A gallery of intrepid American groundbreakers, pathfinders, and activists who have earned commemorative statues. Starting at the U.S. Capitol and ranging as far afield as an airport in Austin, Texas, and a park in Napa, California, the book covers more than a dozen figures—all either women, people of color, or both—who have been immortalized in stone or bronze. Beginning with Thocmetony Sarah Winnemucca, the first published Native American woman author, and continuing past the inspirational likes of Anne Hutchinson (who was banished from colonial Massachusetts for illegally teaching men), comet discoverer Maria Mitchell, and Olympians and activists Tommie Smith and John Carlos, each entry features a brief but sonorous initial annotation and a more detailed one in the backmatter that identifies the statues’ sculptors. Delinois’ painterly images... take advantage of his medium to add homey or historical flourishes, such as a view of Deborah Sampson—who dressed in men’s clothes in order to fight in the American Revolution—blasting away at a group of redcoats and an image of a child in a wheelchair seated next to a chatty effigy of Everglades advocate Marjory Stoneman Douglas in a garden near Miami. An oblique closing reference to commemorative statues being removed or replaced in many localities ends this powerful recitation on a cogent note. Deserving but less prominent luminaries shine more brightly here.”
                                                                           —Kirkus Reviews

Did you know the U.S. Capitol building features 100 statues of important Americans? Each of the 50 states selects two prominent figures in its history to be included as statues representing the state in Washington, D.C. How many of the 100 statues are of people of color? How many are women? After answering these questions, Who Needs Statue? travels around the country finding statues of people of color and women.

Coauthored by Margy Burns Knight (Africa Is Not A Country, Talking Walls, and Who Belongs Here?)

With full-color illustrations by Alix Delinois (Eight Days: A Story of Haiti, Mumbet's Declaration of Independence, and Greetings, Leroy)

Due from Tilbury House Publishers Oct. 15, 2024

Pre-order at:    Brookline Booksmith      Porter Square Books 
                               Indie Bound                         Amazon

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