Black History Month Inspiring Woman

Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievement by Black Americans and a short month for recognizing the role of African Americans in U.S. History. This grew from "Negro History Week" inspired by historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Ever since 1976, every president has declared February to be Black History Month.

I have several other stories on inspirational women and social issues I am working on, but decided to hold onto them until next month so I could bring to you stories of influential African American women and social issues that affect the lives of African American today. The first post for this month is on a African American woman you may have never heard on. Her name is Edmonia Lewis.

Edmonia Lewis (1844-1907), was an African American sculptor who worked for most of her career in Rome, Italy. She was the first Black and Native American to achieve international fame. She earned praise for her work that touched upon her deep Catholic faith and classical themes.

Edmonia was born in New York in 1844. She achieved notable success when she sold the bust of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw. With that money, she bought a ticket to Rome where she mastered sculpting in marble. She achieved success with very little training and overcame many obstacles to do so.

Edmonia attended Oberlin College in Ohio where she emerged as a talented artist. She attended the college when the abolitionist movement was active and was greatly involved. This involvement also greatly influenced her work. One of the works influenced by her involvement in the movement was her sculpture titled, "Forever Free".

Her time at Oberlin was cut short when she was falsely accused of poisoning two white classmates. She was captured and beaten by a white mob. Edmonia survived the attack and escaped to Boston after the charges against her were dropped.

While living in Boston, she became friends with William Lloyd Garrison, a abolitionist, and Edward Brackett, a sculptor. Edward was a great influence in Edmoni'a work. He taught her sculpture and helped her to set up her own studio.

Edmonia achieved some success with her clay and plastic work, but her bust of Colonel Robert Shaw, a Civil War hero who died leading an all Black 54th Massachusetts Regiment was the beginning of her successful career as a sculptor. This propelled her career, allowing her to move to Rome.

One of Edmonia's most prized works was a depiction of Cleopatra titled, "The Death of Cleopatra". Her sculpture was shown at the Philadelphia Exposition in 1876 and in Chicago in 1878. Unfortunately, her sculpture never made it back to Italy and was placed in storage. It was discovered after her death in 1907.

Edmonia Lewis and her art have received posthumous acclaim. Her art work is now part of the permanent collections of the Howard University Gallery of Art and the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

"I have a strong sympathy for all women who have struggled and suffered." - Edmonia Lewis

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