NEW: 17-ft bronze Rosa Parks statue coming to Alabama State Capitol by the end of 2023

As part of the Alabama Women’s Tribute Statue Commission (AWTSC), a new statue of Rosa Parks will be coming to the grounds of the Alabama State Capitol in Montgomery. Atlanta-based sculptor Julia Knight is bringing her to life, with the statue set to be completed by the end of this year. Read on for details on the artist and upcoming statue.

Representing powerful women

In 2019, the Alabama Women’s Tribute Statue Commission was created to establish statues of historic Alabama women Rosa Parks and Helen Keller on the grounds of the Alabama State Capitol.

Since its inception, the group has been working hard to fund and commission these statues and iron out the details needed to bring them to life. The Commission is made up of six members, representing leaders across the state:

• Chair: State Representative Laura Hall
• Tracy Morant Adams
• Annie Butrus
• Rev. Agnes Lover
• Tamika Reed
• Tony Smith
• In Memoriam: Lamar Higgins

A specially selected artist

Not just anybody gets the honor to create these statues. The Commission had to choose from a pool of 15 nationwide artists that submitted applications.

During the selection process, each candidate had to create a small model or sketch, participate in interviews with the commission, share their vision for the statue and demonstrate their knowledge of the subject.

Atlanta-based artist Julia Knight was selected by the commission to create the statue of Rosa Parks. According to Alabama News Center, when completed, the statue will stand 17 feet high atop a granite base. The statue itself will be 9 ft. 6 in. tall.

Coming soon

The new bronze Rosa Parks statue will be placed in an area of prominence on the west front of the Capitol facing Bainbridge Street. Alabama State Legislature called for the statue to be designed in a way that conveys the importance of Rosa Parks to the state, country and the world.

Alabama News Center reports that Knight began working on the beautiful new project earlier this year, and it’s set to be completed by the end of 2023.

If you’re looking for a way to support the AWTSC and their mission, donate here.

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