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Making Progress to Honor Women

Rich Egger

A social event marked the next step to honor the pioneering women of social activism in Macomb.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held Friday morning in the southwest corner of Chandler Park, which is where the bronze statue “Facing the Storm” will be erected. It’s hoped the project will be completed within the next couple years.

When we first started it was kind of overwhelming, but we just took it a step at a time.

The art work will be paid for with private donations.  Committee co-chair Tina Belz said more than half of the $60,000 has been raised.

“This has been an awesome project,” Belz said.

“When we first started it was kind of overwhelming but we just took it a step at a time and to see it come to this point – it was a very touching ceremony.”

The statue will be located on a patio made of engraved bricks.  Several of those bricks were displayed during the groundbreaking ceremony.

Donations can be made by buying an engraved brick or bench.  In addition, limited edition statuettes of the memorial are being sold. Details can be found on the website created for the memorial.

Credit Rich Egger
Getting ready to break ground

Members of the Macomb Woman’s Club took part in the groundbreaking ceremony along with Mayor Mike Inman and artist Jaci Willis of Peoria, who will create the sculpture.

JaciWillis.mp3
Interview with Jaci Willis

Historian John Hallwas led the groundbreaking ceremony. He hoped other communities will be inspired by Macomb and create their own memorials to mark the achievements of local women.

Rich is TSPR's News Director.