She Built NYC: Mayor de Blasio, First Lady McCray Announce Monument Honoring Pioneering Trans Activists Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera

May 30, 2019

Monument will be one of the first honoring transgender people anywhere in the world

NEW YORK––Today, Mayor Bill de Blasio and First Lady Chirlane McCray announced the next She Built NYC monument will honor pioneering transgender activists Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, key leaders in the Stonewall Uprising that sparked the gay liberation movement and the modern fight for LGBTQ rights in the U.S. The proposed location for the monument is in Ruth Wittenberg Triangle, a prominent public space in the heart of neighborhood landmarks that were essential to LGBTQ history and advocacy, including the Stonewall Inn and St. Vincent’s Hospital.

“Transgender and non-binary communities are reeling from violent and discriminatory attacks across the country. Here in New York City, we are sending a clear message: we see you for who you are, we celebrate you, and we will protect you,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “This monument to Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera will honor their pioneering role in the fight for human rights in our city and across the world.”

“Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera are undeniably two of the most important foremothers of the modern LGBTQ rights movement, yet their stories have been erased from a history they helped create,” said First Lady Chirlane McCray. “From their leading role at Stonewall, to their revolutionary work supporting transgender and non-binary youth in our city, they charted a path for the activists who came after them. Today, we correct the record. The city Marsha and Sylvia called home will honor their legacy and tell their stories for generations to come.”

“I’m proud to honor these two trailblazers, Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, who changed the course of history for the LGBTQ community. Not only was their bravery felt in New York City, but their fight for equality inspired change across the nation and around the world. When people walk around this monument, they will be reminded of the courage of these women and of the need to keep fighting for equality for all. Thank you to the She Built NYC committee for making this monument the first in the world in honoring transgender people,” said City Council Speaker Corey Johnson.

“I am happy that NYC has once again shown why it's the greatest city in the world by honoring the history of all of its people and leading the way for unity and understanding,” said Marsha P. Johnson’s nephew, Al Michaels.

Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera founded STAR, renamed Street Transgender Action Revolutionaries in 2001, a housing and support organization for homeless LGBTQ youth and sex workers; they were also leaders in the Stonewall Uprisings and lifelong advocates for LGBTQ rights, particularly around racial and economic justice for LGBTQ people experiencing homelessness and poverty. In addition to Johnson’s and Rivera’s work and advocacy for LGBTQ, homeless, and HIV positive youth - and particularly young people of color who were marginalized by broader LGBTQ rights efforts in the “Gay Liberation” movement - they were also pioneers in early efforts to further disability justice efforts, particularly around ensuring meaningful access to affirming healthcare for all people.

The proposed location for the monument is in Ruth Wittenberg Triangle, located at Sixth Avenue and Christopher Street in Greenwich Village. This location will be finalized upon further discussion with the community. It will be the first permanent, public artwork recognizing transgender women in the world.

The artwork will be funded as part of $10 million Mayor de Blasio allocated for the creation of new public artwork following the Mayoral Advisory Commission on City Art, Monuments, and Markers. The Commission recommended addressing the general lack of diverse representation in the City’s collection of public art by expanding the collection to be more inclusive of the many communities that have lived in and contributed to New York City. DCLA has launched an open call for artists who want to be considered as designers for the monument honoring Johnson and Rivera, available here.

The announcement comes at the beginning of Pride Month, which this year marks the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising. The City expects 4 million visitors to celebrate WorldPride in New York City this year.

A monument honoring Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera was recommended by the She Built NYC committee convened to evaluate the public nominations and advise on actions. “Their fierce determination and commitment to coalition building have made New York City, the nation and world more just and fair,” the committee wrote.

"We launched She Built NYC to correct a glaring imbalance in what people see being celebrated in our public spaces," said Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development Vicki Been. "With every new monument announced, we are correcting the record and increasing representation for women, people of color, and the LGBTQ community. Every New Yorker should know Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, and their contributions to the fight for LGBTQ rights - and from now on, they will."

“For decades, the monuments in our public spaces have told a very limited story about the people, groups, and values that make New York City great,” said Cultural Affairs Commissioner Tom Finkelpearl. “Today, we take a big step toward addressing this problem. Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera were once-in-a-generation trailblazers who fought against racism, sexism, and transphobia to show us the path toward a stronger, better, fairer, more inclusive society. This groundbreaking public artwork in their honor will tell people here and across the world who these inspiring women were and what they did for the city they called home.”

“From opening doors for underrepresented communities to supporting gender parity in our public spaces, making New York fairer is the underpinning of our work,” said NYCEDC President and CEO James Patchett. “Activists Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera were trailblazers who worked tirelessly to raise the visibility of the transgender community. We are proud to honor their legacy and lasting contributions with this permanent monument.”

“During an era far less progressive than today, Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera risked their lives fighting for LGBTQ+ rights,” said women.nyc Executive Director Faye Penn. “Their enduring legacy spearheaded New York’s evolution into an even safer and more accepting place for people of all gender identities. Marsha and Sylvia embodied what makes our city great and stood up for those who had no champions of their own. A monument to their contributions will serve as an important reminder that all identities are celebrated in our city.”

“Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera were defining revolutionaries for transgender rights and racial justice here in New York City and across the country,” said Carmelyn P. Malalis, Commissioner and Chair of the NYC Commission on Human Rights. “This memorial honoring their legacies could not have come at a more prescient time – as the federal government rolls back protections for transgender people and violence toward transgender people grows nationwide – our city is celebrating our trans communities and doubling down on our commitment to protect them. The NYC Commission on Human Rights protects all genders, gender identities, and gender expressions and aspires to uphold our city to Marsha and Sylvia’s vision.”

“It’s only fitting that during the 50th anniversary of Stonewall the City commemorate the tireless work of Marsha Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, who both played a pivotal role in the evolution of the Gay Rights movement with two new statutes near Stonewall. As World Pride approaches, it’s exciting that the City is recognizing the meaningful work of these transgender activists who helped pave the way for the advancement of the LGBTQ+ community,” said NYC & Company President and CEO Fred Dixon. 

“As New York City prepares to welcome millions of international visitors for the World Pride celebration in June, we are taking an important step to give global visibility to two trailblazers of the LGBTQ rights movement,” said Penny Abeywardena, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for International Affairs. “The proposed monument to Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera personifies the NYC values of inclusion, fairness and diversity demonstrated by these two icons during the Stonewall uprising and that continue to inspire the world today.”

“I’m thrilled to hear that New York City is honoring Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson,” said Congressman Jerrold Nadler. “LGBTQ history is American history – and it is important we remember leaders like Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson, who fought not only for their own freedom but for the freedom of every person within our borders. As the fight for equality continues, I hope they can serve as inspiration for the next generation of activists and advocates.”

“This monument will pay homage to two trailblazers - Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera. As leaders in the Stonewall Uprising, they helped launch the modern LGBTQ rights movement. Moreover, their further service to the community through the creation of Street Transgender Action Revolutionaries helped earn them a place in the movement’s pantheon. This, the first monument in our City honoring Trans women, would be a fitting tribute to their legacy,” said Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez.

“With Pride Month approaching and the Equality Act passing in the U.S. House of Representatives, it is quite fitting that New York City will permanently honor activists Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, the esteemed leaders of the Stonewall Uprising. These women were vital figures in the gay liberation movement and I am so proud that their legacies will have a permanent home in New York City. In these divisive times, it crucial that we preserve our history and honor our civil rights pioneers whose contributions have shaped the fabric of this nation,” said Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke.

"Fifty years after the Stonewall Uprising helped propel forward the movement for LGBTQ rights, it is fitting that we uplift and honor Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera as the revolutionary leaders they were. As the struggle for LGBTQ rights continues— and the federal government continues to attack transgender rights directly— it is important that these monuments stand not only for the achievements of these activists, but the values of this city," said Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams.

“Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera were brave pioneers in the fight for LGBTQ rights in this country,” said Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer. “Public art and monuments should represent the best of New Yorkers, and these two trans activists are certainly that. I’m proud to support this wonderful monument that will inspire generations of leaders to come,” said Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer.

“Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera are two of New York City’s greatest heroes. To this day, their unrelenting commitment to creating a more fair and just world for the LGBTQ+ community, communities of color, and HIV positive youth continues to serve as a foundation for collective liberation. It is essential to memorialize their legacy," said State Senator Alessandra Biaggi.

"The movement for LGBTQ rights as we know it was forged by the will and determination of trans women of color. Yet the story we tell about it far too frequently fails to recognize pioneering figures like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera. Today, that changes. The creation of a new monument honoring Johnson and Rivera's contributions in the Ruth Wittenberg Triangle marks a new chapter in the telling of our history, one that does not tolerate the erasure of the transgender community. I could not be prouder to see this in my Senate district, and to see it happen as we approach the 50th anniversary of Stonewall," said State Senator Brad Hoylman.

“This monument comes at an important time for trans visibility. As many of us—including myself—are learning to make space for our trans and gender non-binary siblings in our everyday lives, trans womxn of color are still facing alarming rates of violence simply for being who they are. I hope this monument will help raise awareness about the trail-blazing lives and advocacy of Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson, as well as the need for all of us to show up for the trans and gender non-binary community today and going forward,” said State Senator Robert Jackson.

"New York City has a proud position as the birthplace of the LGBTQ rights movement, and LGBTQ people are deeply entwined in the life and history of our city. Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera are excellent choices to be represented in the first of what should be several monuments in our city that honor trans women. Thank you to the Mayor, the First Lady, and DCLA for their leadership in prioritizing the representation of women through the She Built NYC program, and for recognizing Pride Month with this important monument to LGBTQ history," said State Senator Liz Krueger. 

”This monument honoring trans/L.G.B.T.Q activists Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera is a symbol of the strength and perseverance that sparked the gay liberation movement. In a country that is based on the principles of equality and acceptance, social discrimination persists. We need to join together and continue to fight for the civil liberties of every individual, just as Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera did. Everyone should feel free to express themselves as they wish; it is their human right,” State Senator Luis R. Sepúlveda.

"Many thanks to Mayor de Blasio, First Lady Chirlane McCray, the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, and women.nyc for shining a light on these important women who were pioneers in the fight for transgender and LGBTQ rights. This monument not only represents the struggle and significant leadership of Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, but also the history of transgender and LGBTQ individuals across the world," said State Senator José M. Serrano.

"I applaud the Mayor's Office for recognizing the importance of diversity in our city's artwork. I am proud that New York City is taking steps toward acknowledging LGBTQIA+ history. The announcement to honor two trans women of color with Pride Month approaching, shows our city's dedication to protect the LGBTQIA+ community and honor their history in New York City," said Assembly Member Harvey Epstein.

“The fight for all civil rights centers on equality and visibility. Oftentimes civil rights champions make history by making people who were once hidden in the margins visible, as is the case with Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera. These two fought within the gay rights movement to keep trans women of color visible and included, and it is truly historic that there will be a monument to them, honoring their achievements in the fight for LGBTQ rights,” said Assembly Member Mathylde Frontus.

“Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera deserve to be honored as incredible women who were pivotal to the Stonewall Uprising, the fight for LGBTQ rights, and specifically, the inclusion of transgender rights in this community’s fight for greater equality. It is a great achievement that these women will be honored with this monument, as they were trailblazers who started the hard of task of consciousness raising regarding the transgender community. I am so pleased that their legacy will be preserved for future generations,” said Assembly Member Deborah J. Glick.

“The announcement of a monument honoring the pioneering TWOC activists Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera on the 50th anniversary of Stonewall is a fitting commemoration to New York City’s role as the birthplace of the modern movement for LGBTQ rights,” said Assembly Member Richard Gottfried. “These women were among the leaders who inspired a worldwide movement by igniting the spark of rebellion at the Stonewall half a century ago.”

“As the leaders of the Stonewall Uprising and staunch advocates for the LGBTQ+ community, the lives of Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera changed our city for the better,” said Assembly Member Alicia L. Hyndman. “This statue is testament to their collective work, at a time when standing up for the transgender community was not just brave, but fearless.”

“It is fitting for the city to honor transgender activists Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera. Our city represents diversity and all New Yorkers should know and appreciate the efforts people have made in the fight for equality,” said Assembly Member and Assistant Speaker Felix W. Ortiz.

“As we approach the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, it is important that we remember the trailblazers who established the foundations of modern LGBTQ rights. New York City’s strength is its diversity and the dedication of a monument to trans women of color Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera is truly a historic moment,” said Assembly Member David I. Weprin. “I applaud Mayor Bill de Blasio and First Lady Chirlane McCray for their commitment to illuminating the contributions of LGBTQ New Yorkers and addressing the lack of diverse representation in our city’s public art.”

“Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera's many contributions to the LGBTQ rights movement deserve this public commemoration," said Council Member Daniel Dromm, Chair of the LGBT Caucus. "Now every New Yorker and visitor who passes by these monuments will be educated on the significance of Johnson and Rivera's lives and work. I thank the administration for paying tribute to two of the movement's heroes. This is truly an exciting and meaningful way of celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion."

“Monuments are a deep recognition on where a society places its priorities. It’s long overdue that two scions on the LGBTQ+ and human right’s movement receive their due. Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera were memorable for Stonewall, but also represented a paradigm shift for our culture that still reverberates until this day. We continue to be proud of their fight and carry on their legacy through monuments and advocacy in City Hall,” said Council Majority Leader Laurie A. Cumbo.

“I am forever indebted to Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera for their service to our LGBTQ community. In the face of extreme hatred and bigotry, these trailblazing transgender women fought tirelessly for social justice for marginalized people, and in doing so, paved the way for the LGBTQ equality movement of today. Erecting a monument in their honor would not only be a historic tribute, but a testament to the enduring power of transgender women of color in our society. We must keep striving to make the world a better, safer place for all of the Marshas and Sylvias, and do more to ensure that our public arts are reflective of our city’s gender and cultural diversity,” said Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer, Chair of the Committee on Cultural Affairs and Libraries.

“Marsha Johnson and Sylvia Rivera’s legacy and advocacy for LGBT rights and justice are still felt today, and this monument will further cement their place in history in a physical manner. It is long overdue and will be an amazing new addition to the city’s public spaces and monuments,” said Council Member Ritchie Torres.

“Today is a Win. When you see this statue let it remind you of the unpaid & unrecognized labor that trans women put in everyday to set us all free,” said Angelica Ross, Activist and Pose Cast Member. “Thank you to Mayor Bill de Blasio and First Lady Chirlane McCray for having the courage to tear down statues and symbols of white supremacy and build new symbols of strength and courage like the monument to Marsha P. Johnson and Silvia Rivera.”

“It is so wonderful to see the City of New York honor the memory of these two pillars of the LGBTQ movement! Let's continue to celebrate queer culture and those that represent it. Happy pride to all!” said Cecilia Gentili, Founder of Transgender Equity Consulting and She Built NYC Advisory Panel Member.

"Among many things, Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera were the founders of the modern day Queer Liberation movement, which was born out of a riot protesting NYPD police violence against black and brown trans people 50 years ago in this neighborhood. My hope is that this monument will inspire others to continue working on the dreams Marsha and Sylvia had – to create a dynamic nurturing community in New York City where black and brown trans people can commune, thrive, and grow together without threat of violence, prosecution, or discrimination. Marsha P. Johnson would be 73 years old today. Sylvia Rivera would have been 67 years old today," said Tourmaline, filmmaker, activist and co-Director of the Marsha P Johnson film Happy Birthday, Marsha!

“I would not think of a more fitting way to recognize the beginning of this historic Pride month than acknowledging the contributions of Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Riviera in this way,” said Chris Frederick, Executive Director of WorldPride. “Their contributions have been long overlooked and their place in history will be there for all to see when they come to pay their respects to all the LGBTQIA+ individuals who sparked the modern gay rights movement at the Stonewall uprising. As we prepare for millions to come to New York City for Stonewall 50 and WorldPride we are thrilled that Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera are part of the She Built NYC.”

“It’s wonderful that New York City is erecting statues for Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson, founders of the trans movement. Thank you to Mayor Bill de Blasio for this visionary leadership in the fight for equal rights,” said Randy Wicker, LGBTQ Activist and Author.

"After 50 years of fighting for TGNCIQ rights and visibility, finally NYC is honoring the 2 trans women of color and mothers of the TGNCIQ movements, Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera. As a trans woman of color and formally undocumented immigrant, I feel more proud to say that I'm TRANS and New Yorkina. This is what living a legacy looks like," said Bianey Garcia, Trans Latinx Community Organizer, Make the Road New York.

"It is so exciting to witness the She Built NYC Monument that will honor our pioneering transgender activists Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera who were instrumental in the Stonewall Riots. The transgender community will forever be appreciative to our ancestors and the path that they created for all of us," said Cristina Herrera, Founder and Executive Director, Translatinx Network.

“Black and brown trans women have always been pioneers in the fight for gender equity and have always been unapologetic in doing so. When the world said, ‘No it cannot be done,’ we responded, ‘Watch Us,’” said Kiara St. James, Executive Director, New York Transgender Advocacy Group.

"I have been waiting decades to see these trans revolutionary women honored" said Tanya Asapansa-Johnson Walker, Co-Founder of the New York Transgender Advocacy Group. "They were on the front lines of the gay movement and deserve this honor." 

"Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, two transgender women of color, built a world-changing movement of self-empowerment for the LGBTQ community and many of society’s most vulnerable and marginalized people,” said Andy Marra, Executive Director, Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF). “As we prepare to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising that Marsha and Sylvia helped lead, TLDEF applauds the She Built NYC Initiative for recognizing their legacies with this historic monument that will serve as a reminder for us to continue pressing on towards justice and equality.”

"Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera shared and articulated a vision that instantly challenged the nascent mainstream lesbian and gay rights movement. They helped to give voice to so many who lived on the streets and in the prisons, countless of which were transgender and gender non-binary people of color. They lived with and shared their lives with this community and were activists in the truest sense of the word, seeking to resist the imposition of injustice by any legal or illegal means at their disposal. Visible and permanent recognition by the City of New York of Marsha and Sylvia’s role in the liberation of all New Yorkers, in particular, transgender and gender non-binary people of color is a powerful intervention. Today’s commitment to making their history visible makes a statement to many people who are still struggling today – that theirs are valued and respected lives," said Carrie Davis, Healthcare Consultant and a member of the New York City Commission of Human Rights.

“Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson stood up for trans people and trans women of color without anyone showing them the way. In their day, both were visible leaders committed to a caring community where the young were not discarded and a cultural umbrella was inclusive of all, regardless of race and gender identity. Thank you Mayor Bill de Blasio for creating this moving monument of the power and perseverance of trans New Yorkers,” said Melissa Sklarz, Transgender Advocate and Senior Government Relations Specialist at SAGE USA.

"As we commemorate milestones in the history of the LGBTQ communities, such as the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Inn riots, it is important to recognize the leadership of Marsha P Johnson and Sylvia Rivera for their tireless advocacy of transgender and queer people of color. It is my hope that these monuments will inspire newer generations of queer activists and expand the understanding of LGBTQ history through public art," said Gonzalo Casals, Executive Director, Leslie-Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art.

"Today, Mayor de Blasio, First Lady Chirlane McCray, the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs and women.nyc have taken a significant stride forward in cementing Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera's place as visionaries in activism on behalf of the transgender community," said Glennda Testone, Executive Director of NYC's LGBT Community Center. "Transgender people have always been part of our community, and supporting TGNC leaders like Marsha and Sylvia who paved the way is an honor. It's our hope that the LGBTQ community continues to expand our understanding and support of one another, and that these statues serve as a constant reminder."

“Today, decades after the deaths of pioneering trans activists Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, both women’s names continue to hold tremendous power in the minds and hearts of the LGBTQ community. We connect their legacies through the NYC sites where they lived and fostered community, from Transy House in Brooklyn to Greenwich Village, where in 1970 the two established Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR) for outreach to homeless gender non-conforming youth. The planned She Built NYC monument in tribute to Johnson and Rivera will enhance their visibility and connect countless more people with their, and our city's, important history of activism,” said Ken Lustbader, Co-Director of the NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project.

"On this the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall Riot, how fitting to honor the mothers of the movement Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera. At a time when Black and Brown Transgender women are still overwhelmingly being murdered simply for living in their truth, we must continue to push back against hate speech and acts of violence. Let us celebrate Marsha and Sylvia in death by making sure we protect the living," said Sean Coleman, Executive Director, Destination Tomorrow, The Bronx LGBT Center.

"I'm absolutely thrilled to learn that New York City will be honoring Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P Johnson with monuments. The very first housing program for homeless LGBT youth in NYC was their Star House in the early 1970's, so we at the Ali Forney Center look to the two of them as trailblazers for our work. I never met Marsha, but in the spring of 2001, Sylvia Rivera participated in a rally for homeless youth that I organized, and having her join us was one of the proudest moments of my life," said Carl Siciliano, Executive Director, Ali Forney Center.

“History has always been about who writes it and who had access to it. A monument to two transgender women of color, Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson, is a step forward in re-envisioning LGBT and women’s history to honor these two pioneers that paved the way for the modern LGBT and transgender movement. A couple of trailblazers that revolutionized the way we think about equality with a message of social justice for low-income, homeless youth, LGBT people of color, and detained transgender and gender nonconforming persons. With this monument, their transformational, inspiring and long lasting legacy will not only live in the hearts and minds of the LGBT community, but immortalize in the city with a permanent acknowledgement,” said Samy Nemir Olivares, human rights activist and co-founder of Queeramisú - LGBT Leaders of Color for Progress.

About She Built NYC:

She Built NYC is part of the women.nyc initiative, which was launched last spring by First Lady Chirlane McCray and former Deputy Mayor Alicia Glen to make New York the best city in the world for women to succeed. She Built NYC began with an open call asking the public to nominate women, groups of women, or events involving women that significantly impacted the history of New York City.

Through the women.nyc portal, the public submitted nearly 2,000 nominations. Ninety-eight percent of respondents said they would like to see a woman honored who was committed to social reform or justice. The most frequently used word in the submissions was “first,” followed by “leader” and then “advocate.” An advisory panel with individuals representing a broad range of expertise and backgrounds helped refine the public submissions list and provided recommendations to the City.

In November 2018, Shirley Chisholm was announced as the first woman who would be honored under the new initiative, and artists were selected to design her monument in Prospect Park last month. Earlier this year the City announced four more women who will be honored with public monuments throughout the City. The artwork commemorating Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera will be the sixth monument commissioned under the initiative.