| The anniversary of 125 Years of Women at
Penn was celebrated November 1-2, 2001. Two years later, in November 2003, artist
Jenny Holzer's 125 Years, a curving walkway of text-based sculpture
located in Hill Square, was dedicated in honor of the anniversary of 125 Years
of Women at Penn.
Hill Square, bounded by Chestnut, Walnut, 33rd and
34th Streets, is suitably located across Chestnut Street from the site of Sergeant
Hall, Penn's first women's dorm; across Walnut Street from Bennett Hall, home
to the former College for Women; and next to Hill College House, which was built
as the Women's Residence Hall. This is historical space for women at Penn. The
pathway includes granite benches and curbs, all inscribed with quotations from
women at Penn representing views and opinions of Penn women over the 125 year
period since they first enrolled at the University. At the path's midpoint, a
wooden "bridge" crosses a low-lying area containing wetlands plantings.
- Funding for this project, including landscaping
and lighting as well as the diagonal walkway, was provided by the alumnae of the
University.
The Executive Committee, chaired by Judith Roth
Berkowitz, included Constance L. Abrams, Mandee Heller Adler, Loretta A. Barrett,
Susan Frier Danilow, Lee Spelman Doty, Mary Ann Baker Greenawalt, Wendy Marcus
Greenfield, Christine Hikawa, Elsie Sterling Howard, Norma Peden Killebrew, Susanna
E. Lachs, Deborah Marrow, Barbara G. Saidel, Lynne L. Tarnopol, Susan Molofsky
Todres, M. Jane Williams, and Sandra D. Williamson. The Sculpture
Committee, chaired by Deborah Marrow, included Cheri S. Friedman, Shelley
D. Harrison, Catherine Holland, Diane Rosenberg Karp, Patricia Braun Silvers,
and Allison Beth Weiss. - Design of the new Hill Square
was a joint undertaking. Jenny Holzer, the New York sculptor
famed for her text-based projects, created the granite benches and curbing, all
inscribed with quotations relating to women at Penn, in collaboration with landscape
architect, The Olin Partnership of Philadelphia, and lighting
designer, L'Observatoire of New York.
- Quotations
for the benches and curbs were selected by Holzer from materials in Penn's University
Archives. Quotations from Women
at Penn, an illustrated exhibit available online, includes
Holzer's selections.
Photographs courtesy of James R. Mann |
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