Rad Women A-Z Initiative
In 2019, Lions & Rabbits worked closely with Downtown Grand Rapids, Inc. (DGRI) to launch the Rad Women A-Z Initiative. 27 female-identifying artists painted portraits of influential women on mechanical boxes located throughout Downtown Grand Rapids.
The project is inspired by "Rad American Women A-Z: Rebels, Trailblazers and Visionaries Who Shaped Our History... And Our Future!" a New York Times bestselling book written by Kate Schatz and illustrated by Miriam Klein Stahl.
"Like all A-Z books, this one illustrates the alphabet—but instead of "A is for Apple", A is for Angela—as in Angela Davis, the iconic political activist. B is for Billie Jean King, who shattered the glass ceiling of sports; C is for Carol Burnett, who defied assumptions about women in comedy; D is for Dolores Huerta, who organized farmworkers; and E is for Ella Baker, who mentored Dr. Martin Luther King and helped shape the Civil Rights Movement.
And the list of great women continues, spanning several centuries, multiple professions, and 26 diverse individuals. There are artists and abolitionists, scientists and suffragettes, rock stars and rabble-rousers, and agents of change of all kinds.
The book includes an introduction that discusses what it means to be "rad" and "radical," an afterword with 26 suggestions for how you can be "rad," and a Resource Guide with ideas for further learning and reading.
American history was made by countless rad—and often radical—women. By offering a fresh and diverse array of female role models, we can remind readers that there are many places to find inspiration, and that being smart and strong and brave is rad."
http://www.radgirlscan.com/rad-american-women-a-z/
RAD Women Luncheon at Lions and Rabbits Center for the Arts
Walking Tour
This public arts initiative was launched in honor of International Women's Day and Women's History Month 2019 as part of our mission to recognize and celebrate the contributions women have made to our communities.
These 27 painted mechanical boxes are spread throughout the city. We created a self-guided walking tour for you to explore Grand Rapids while you learn about some heroic women who have made incredible contributions to our country.
Go to http://www.grwalks.com/ to download the walking tour app.
Artists
Angela Davis created by Corryn Jackson
Billie Jean King created by Emily MacDonald
Carol Burnett created by Kerry Rolewicz
Dolores Huerta created by Anna VanderLoon
Ella Baker created by Marie Couretas
Florence Griffith Joyner created by Nia Mays
Grimke Sisters created by Korin Hollinshead
Hazel Scott created by Kim Nguyen
Isadora Duncan created by Jordyn Romersberger
Jovita Idar created by Barb Danger
Kate Bornstein created by Maddie Jackson
Lucy Parsons created by Blake Noble
Maya Lin created by Meg Porter
Nellie Bly created by Maria De'Angelo
Odetta Holmes created by Mary Martin
Patti Smith created by Devon Dumond
"Queen Bessie" Coleman created by Madeline Graumlich
Rachel Carson created by Dayna Walton
Sonia Sotomayor created by Lesley Esse
Temple Grandin created by Valarie Wahna
Ursula K Le Guin created by Katie Moore
Virginia Apgar created by Jenna Sherwin
Wilma Mankiller created by Elena Gray
X - For those whose names we don't know created by Hannah McKinney
Yuri Kochiyama created by Piper Adonya
Zora Neale Hurston created by Jasmine Bruce