Virginia Governor Ralph Northam announced Wednesday that Barbara Rose Johns, a civil rights pioneer, would represent the Commonwealth in the U.S. Capitol’s Statue Hall
Virginia Governor Ralph Northam announced Wednesday that civil rights pioneer Barbara Rose Johns will represent the Commonwealth in the United States Capitol Statue Hall, replacing Confederate General Robert E. Lee.
In 1951, 16-year-old Johns led a strike at Robert Russa Moton High School in Farmville to protest the poor conditions at her all-black school compared to the all-white school nearby. According to historians, their protest sparked the desegregation movement in the United States
The U.S. Capitol Historic Statue Commission elected John’s months after Northam ordered the Virginia Board to replace the Lee Statue this summer.
“As a teenager, Barbara Johns boldly led a protest that defied segregation, questioning and ultimately breaking down the barriers she and her African American counterparts faced,” Northam said in a statement.
“I am proud that your statue will represent Virginia in the US Capitol, where your idealism, courage and belief will continue to inspire Virginians and Americans to address inequalities and fight for meaningful change now and for generations to come. “
The commission selected Johns from a list of five historical figures submitted by Virginia residents.
On Wednesday, Northam said its proposed budget was $ 500,000 for the statue of Johns. If the new sculpture is approved by the General Assembly, it will stand next to President George Washington – Virginia’s second statue of the US Capitol.
“This has been a really humbling experience,” said Del. Jeion Ward in a press release. “During every step of the selection process, we heard the thoughts and opinions of the public as well as our various committee members. I am proud of the decision we have made as the Commonwealth. “
This recent change to the statue came after a summer of race riot and reckoning in the United States that removed many of the statues and symbols that honored the Confederation across the country, and Virginia in particular.
The Lee statue, which has stood in the US Capitol since 1909, is the third Lee sculpture to be removed in recent months. The statues of the Confederate General in downtown Richmond and in the state capital of Virginia will also be removed.
Virginia officials said the Lee statue will be removed from the U.S. Capitol this week.
The commission will now select a sculptor for the Barbara Johns statue.
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