Lexington, KY – Congressman Andy Barr is pleased to announce that the Blue Grass Community Foundation has been awarded a National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) grant in the amount of $20,000 to help fund the Breaking the Bronze Ceiling Monument in downtown Lexington. This monument will commemorate the contributions of women in Lexington and Fayette County, and is a special tribute to honor the centennial of the women’s suffrage movement and the ratification of the 19th Amendment.
“I want to congratulate the Breaking the Bronze Ceiling Steering Committee for this grant,” said Congressman Barr. “When Councilmember Jennifer Mossotti, who chairs the Committee, and Councilmember Kathy Plomin approached me about this project last year, I saw their passion, I recognized immediately the importance of this project for our community, and I knew I wanted to help. The vision, dedication and hard work of the Committee to build a monument in downtown Lexington to celebrate the history of women in Fayette County is inspiring.
“As the father of two daughters, I look forward to teaching my girls, Eleanor and Mary Clay, about the monument’s historical significance, including the strength and perseverance shown by so many great leaders during the women’s suffrage movement,” Barr continued. “I was honored to support this grant request, and I look forward to visiting the monument with my daughters for many years to come.”
“Community support for this initiative has been tremendous and has made the realization of this monument possible as we seek to deepen people’s understanding of Central Kentucky women’s contributions to history. It is a remarkable collective history of extraordinary achievements,” said Lexington Councilmember Jennifer Mossotti, Chair of Breaking the Bronze Ceiling.
“Women’s representation in public art has been virtually non-existent,” Mossotti continued. “This work helps change that dynamic while honoring noteworthy local women and hopefully inspiring future generations. We are grateful for Congressman Barr’s ongoing support.”
Congressman Barr wrote two letters of support to the NEA for the Breaking the Bronze Ceiling Project, including a joint letter with Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), in support of the monument. Congressman Barr is a cosponsor of Congresswoman Maloney’s legislation to establish a National Women’s History Museum as part of the Smithsonian.
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