Page 26 - Dispatches - Winter 2022

Adventure Her-story Makers
Countdown

By Rachel Perry Monuments and murals dedicated to

Rachel dreams of extraordinary women
traveling to Spain on
her next adventure—
and wherever she goes, here’s a staggering lack of statues and memorials honoring history-making women. Often
she’ll be on the lookout represented instead as goddesses, muses, or symbols, it’s hard to come by monuments
for monuments Tdedicated to real-life women heroes. The ones that do exist are powerful celebrations of
dedicated to women. women’s contributions to their home counties and the world. Here are some of our favorites.

Murasaki Shikibu Statue
in Kyoto, Japan

With her flowing hair and robes, this sculpture represents
one of the great writers of both Japanese and world literature.
Known to history by her name used in the imperial court,
Murasaki Shikibu, this 10th-century lady-in-waiting is often
credited with writing the world’s first novel. Her novel, The
Tale of Genji, tells of the life and loves of the fictitious Prince
Genji. It’s still popular today, and has inspired numerous
films, anime, musicals, and operas.

Monument to Chabuca Granda
in Lima, Peru

In a garden park in Lima, Peru stands this regal statue with
her hands up in dramatic fashion. The statue represents María
Isabel Granda Larco, better known as Chabuca Granda, a beloved
Peruvian singer and composer. Both her lyrics and her voice
captured audiences across Peru and her songs have become
iconic in Peruvian culture. She’s known for her waltzes and Afro-
Peruvian rhythms—and for singing with her hands positioned
gracefully in the air.

Ingibjörg H. Bjarnason Statue
in Reykjavik, Iceland

In 1915, Icelandic women finally gained the right to vote, and
when they did, suffragette and schoolteacher Ingibjörg H.
Bjarnason was chosen to address Iceland’s parliament in a
celebratory speech. Seven years later, she was sitting on the
opposite side, among the seats of parliament, as the first elected
woman in the law-making body. Throughout her political career,
she maintained a strong mission of advocating for women’s and
children’s rights.

DISPATCHES • WINTER

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