Revising History, One Monument at a Time

Artist Michelle Browder lives in a city that is increasingly being altered by monumental works…including one she created herself.

More than 30 years ago, as an 18-year-old art student in Atlanta, Michelle Browder came across a work of art that haunted her. The picture was meant as a tribute to Dr. J. Marion Sims, a 19th century doctor long known as the 'Father of Gynecology.’ His discoveries, only made possible by his experimentation on enslaved women, endowed his legacy in U.S. history, yet erased the victims of this research. Armed with this knowledge, she set out to create a monument in Montgomery, Alabama, where a statue of Sims still stands in front of the state capitol building. 

Michelle Browder joins the show to share the story behind her creation called “the Mothers of Gynecology,” in tribute to Anarcha, Lucy & Betsey, three of Dr. Sims’ victims.

Companion listening for this episode:

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Notes from America airs live on Sundays at 6 p.m. ET. The podcast episodes are lightly edited from our live broadcasts.