International Women's Day

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The first International Women's Day (IWD) was observed in February of 1909 in the United States following a declaration by the Socialist Party of America. Among other relevant historic events, it commemorates the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire (New York, 1911), where over 140 women lost their lives. Today IWD is more strongly identified with Russia and its former eastern bloc allies, but it is also considered the first day of the spring season so it is well worth observing on both accounts.

In honor of International Women's Day, I am showing the second of two female statues from the Brewer Fountain on Boston Common. You can see the other statue here.

Brewer Fountain

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The first piece of public art on the Common was the Brewer Fountain, donated by Gardner Brewer in 1868. The fountain is a bronze replica of a French original that won a gold medal at the 1855 Paris World’s Fair. The figures represent mythological figures associated with water: Neptune, Amphitrite, Asis, and Galatea.

Snowy Nymphs

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Detail view of nymphs on the water fountain in the Boston Common.   Steeple of Park Street Church in background.

Mime on Boston Common

A mime, wearing a costume made entirely of recycled objects performed on Boston Common. Her costume was very cleverly done and her "donation" basket was an old portable tv set. She wrote notes on sheets of toilet paper for those who left donations. Note the toilet paper roll hanging off her belt, next to the egg carton.