New Grand Central Statue To Honor Elizabeth Jennings Graham

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — A monument for civil rights icon Elizabeth Jennings Graham will be dedicated in Grand Central Terminal as part of a city initiative to honor the influential women of New York City, First Lady Chirlane McCray announced Wednesday.

The Grand Central monument will be one of four constructed in the city throught the "She Built NYC" initiative launched in 2018. The monuments will be dedicated in Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island and the Bronx so that each of New York City's boroughs will contain a "She Built NYC" monument. The initiative's inaugural monument is dedicated to Shirley Chisolm in Brooklyn.

"We cannot tell the story of New York City without recognizing the invaluable contributions of the women who helped build and shape it," McCray said in a statement. "Public monuments should tell the full history and inspire us to realize our potential – not question our worth."

Graham challenged racial segregation in New York City in the mid 19th century, decades before the United States' civil rights movement. In 1854, the 27-year-old African-American schoolteacher boarded a segregated streetcar and refused to leave until forcibly removed by police, city officials said. Graham later sued the streetcar company and the driver, winning $225 in damages (which was worth a lot more 150 years ago).

Streetcars in New York City were desegregated years after Graham's protest and lawsuit, city officials said. Graham is also credited with founding the city's first kindergarten for black students.

The other statues announced today will honor jazz legend Billie Holliday (Queens), Dr. Helen Rodríguez Trías (Bronx) and lighthouse keeper Katherine Walker (Staten Island).

Artists for the monuments will be selected in 2020 and construction is expected to take place in 2021 and 2022, city officials said.

"The people and groups we celebrate in our public art should reflect the rich diversity and cultural history that has made New York City such an extraordinary place," Cultural Affairs Commissioner Tom Finkelpearl said in a statement.

"By honoring these four remarkable women New Yorkers, She Built NYC is taking important steps toward a fuller telling of our city’s dynamic story through public monuments."