LYNN — “HERstory Volume III: Trailblazers and Disruptors” — a photo exhibit honoring 91 trailblazing women who have shaped the history of Massachusetts and the nation — opened its doors to the public April 18.
It will remain open from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Fridays in Senate President Karen Spilka’s ceremonial office on the third floor of the Massachusetts State House, directly outside the Senate Chamber.
In the State House, where there are a number of paintings, sculptures and murals depicting men throughout history, “HERstory” was created to commemorate the “often-forgotten stories of the bold and influential women and women of color who shaped Massachusetts.” Each photo in the “HERstory” display covers a portrait of a past senate president, who were all men until 2007.
“Massachusetts residents have always been dynamic and diverse, but our State House art has failed to fully represent them,” Spilka said. “It is our responsibility to make sure every resident can see themselves in the halls of power, regardless of their background.
“I hope that when women walk into this office, they know that they have a place in this building — and in shaping Massachusetts’ future. I’m so excited to be able to share this with the residents, visitors and staff who come to the State House.”
Among the 91 women featured in this exhibit, two are former Lynn residents.
Abby Kelley Foster (1811-1887) was an abolitionist and radical social reformer who helped develop plans for the first National Woman’s Rights Convention held in Worcester, according to the exhibit.
Foster was known, according to the National Women’s Hall of Fame, to follow the motto “Go where least wanted, for there you are most needed.”
She was an organizer of the founding convention of the New England Woman Suffrage Association and, “under the auspices of the American Anti-Slavery Society, undertook the effort of organizing and financing passage of the 15th amendment.” Although she was born in Pelham, Foster belonged to the Quaker Meeting in Uxbridge and later moved to Lynn and Worcester.
Maria Mitchell (1818-1889) – who was originally from Nantucket but later became a Lynn resident — was the first female astronomer in the United States as well as the first American scientist to discover a comet at 29 years old.
This brought her international acclaim, including a gold medal from King Christian VIII of Denmark in 1848. While the comet’s original name was “1874 VI,” it became better-known as “Miss Mitchell’s Comet.”
Mitchell was also an early advocate for science and math education for girls, and she was the first female astronomy professor. According to the National Women’s History Museum, “She defied social conventions by having her female students come out at night for class work and celestial observations, and she brought noted feminists to her observatory to speak on political issues.”
Mitchell was also involved with both the anti-slavery and suffrage movements. She is memorialized by a natural science museum, aquarium and observatory on Nantucket.
“HERstory Volume III” honors women who either are from Massachusetts or have had a “profound impact on the state by shattering glass ceilings and seeing beyond accepted limits.”
This installation, following last year’s addition of Frederick Douglass’ bust in the Senate chamber and the portrait of Abigail Adams in the Senate lobby, is the latest step in Spilka’s ongoing effort to expand representation in the State House.
