New Monument Honors "Mothers of Gynecology""

While J. Marion Sims is often touted as “the father of gynecology,” this art installation, created by Michelle Browder, honors Anarcha, Betsey, Lucy and other unnamed enslaved women who suffered for years as Sims’ experimental subjects as he performed painful surgeries on them without anesthesia, pain relief or consent.

Created by artist Michelle Browder from scrap metal, the monument includes three larger-than-life statues depicting Anarcha (15 feet tall), Betsey (12 feet tall) and Lucy (nine feet tall). The statues incorporate meaningful—and painful—symbolism.

SOURCE: Smithsonian Magazine • AUTHOR: Sarah Kuta • LAST UPDATED: May 11, 2022