Anne Hutchinson, Zitkála-Šá, Julia Ward Howe.

Learn the stories of women suffragists sculpted by artist Cyrus Dallin on Tuesday, July 27, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

This virtual presentation, "Female Strength & Sculpture: Selected Portraits by Cyrus Dallin," hosted by Sarah Burks, Dallin Museum Board of Trustees cochair, describes Dallin’s sculptures of such influential women as Anne Hutchinson, Zitkála-Šá and Julia Ward Howe. Throughout much of his career, Dallin passionately advocated for the rights of Indigenous peoples, and his commitment to social justice extended to the lives of all Americans.

Julia Ward Howe 

Dallin created the plaster bust of Howe, author of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," in 1915. The New England Women’s Club commissioned Dallin to produce a bas relief of Howe, and the artist subsequently created the statue now displayed at the Dallin Museum. This sculpture was later presented to Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts, and is part of its Art of the Americas collection.

Howe (1819–1910) famously wrote the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" during the Civil War, as a pro-Union, antislavery anthem. The song outlived the Civil War era, and later became a fixture in patriotic programs across the country. Dr. Martin Luther King’s last public speech ended with Howe’s famous words, “Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord!”

Howe was also a women’s suffrage advocate and author. In 1870, she wrote her “Appeal to womanhood throughout the world,” later known as the Mother’s Day Proclamation. 

Anne Hutchinson

Dallin created his Hutchinson bronze statue in 1915. Anne looks toward heaven with her left hand clenched to her heart and her right arm holding her child Susanna close to her side, protected by her cloak. The statue is located on the south lawn of the Massachusetts State House, Boston.

Hutchinson (1591–1643) was a Puritan spiritual adviser and religious reformer. She claimed that she was a prophetess, receiving direct revelation from God. Hutchinson’s strong religious views were at odds with Boston’s established Puritan clergy, and her popularity and charisma helped create a theological schism that threatened to destroy the Puritans’ religious community in New England. She was eventually tried and convicted, then banished from the colony with many of her supporters.

Zitkála-Šá

Dallin, best known for his depictions of Native Americans, created a model of Zitkála-Šá (“Red Bird”) in the early 1920s. Dallin likely got to know Zitkála-Šá (1876–1938) while she was working at the Uintah-Ouray Reservation in Utah. 

Zitkála-Šá worked tirelessly for full citizenship rights for Native peoples. She also campaigned against harmful assimilationist policies and advocated for better access to education and health care. She wrote several works chronicling her struggles with cultural identity, and the pull between the majority culture in which she was educated, and the Dakota culture into which she was born and raised.

Program sign-up is easy.

Register in advance at this link >>

Suggested donation: $5 per person.

A Zoom link to the program will be sent to your email address after your registration is complete.

Dallin Museum

The Dallin Museum, 611 Mass. Ave., is open for prescheduled tours on weekends through July. To arrange a tour, contact Nancy Blanton, group tour coordinator, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 781-641-0747.

In August, the museum officially reopens to the public on Saturdays and Sundays, noon to 4 p.m. Suggested donation is $5 per person.

This news announcement was published Tuesday, July 20, 2021.