Timed with the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which guaranteed women the right to vote, a preview of #IfThenSheCan – The Exhibit has opened in the Central Park Zoo. It shows six of the future 122 female statues that will be on display showcasing contemporary women in STEM careers. The statues are 3D printed and all in orange, and when all are displayed together, it will constitute the most women statues ever assembled in one location, at one time.
Photo by Julie Larsen Mahler/#IfThenSheCan
The women, all AAAS IF/THEN® Ambassadors are Kristine Inman, Wildlife Biologist, Wildlife Conservation Society, Rae Wynn-Grant, Large Carnivore Ecologist, National Geographic Society. Dorothy Tovar, Stanford University, Microbiologist focused on bat – human zoonotic disease transmission, Jess Cramp, Shark Researcher and Marine Conservationist, Sharks Pacific, Earyn McGee, Herpetologist focused on lizards, University of Arizona, and Kristen Lear, Bat Conservationist, Bat Conservation International. Each statue has a plaque in front, with the woman’s name, a short bio, and a QR code you can scan to learn more.
Photo by Julie Larsen Mahler/#IfThenSheCan
Photo by Julie Larsen Mahler/#IfThenSheCan
According to the organization behind the installation, the Lyda Hill Philanthropies®’ IF/THEN® Initiative, “it’s no secret that women are grossly underrepresented in STEM careers, especially women of color. [#IfThenShe Can is] designed to activate a culture shift among young girls and inspire the next generation of STEM pioneers.”
Photo by Julie Larsen Mahler/#IfThenSheCan
Photo by Julie Larsen Mahler/#IfThenSheCan
COVID-19 delayed the full exhibition, but Wild Conservation Society’ Central Park Zoo is hosting the first six statues through October 2020 The public can reserve tickets to the zoo and to see the statues here, as the zoo has reopened with reduced capacity. Stay tuned as we share with you the unveiling of the Women’s Rights Pioneers Monument in Central Park week!
Next, check out 22 other public art installations to see this month in NYC.
