Virginia Women’s Monument 🇺🇸

When you visit the grounds of the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, you can discover Voices from the Garden: The Virginia Women's Monument, an inspiring state memorial dedicated to honoring the vital contributions of women throughout the history of Virginia and the United States. Proposed in 2009 and built with private funds, this commemorative space invites you to explore an oval granite plaza filled with art, history, and quiet places to reflect. As you walk through the plaza, you will see eleven life-sized bronze statues sculpted by StudioEIS.

These detailed figures honor remarkable individuals spanning four centuries, including Pamunkey chieftain Cockacoeske, inaugural first lady Martha Washington, businesswoman Maggie L. Walker, seamstress Elizabeth Keckley, and educator Virginia Randolph. In the center of the monument stands a granite pedestal topped with a bronze sundial that features engraved names of various Virginia localities.

You can also rest on one of the benches lining the plaza while viewing the Wall of Honor—a series of tempered glass panels inscribed with the names of over 200 additional influential women. It is a meaningful destination where you can directly connect with centuries of diverse female achievements.

What to see at Virginia Women's Monument

• Life-sized bronze statues sculpted by StudioEIS honoring historic Virginia women
• Central granite pedestal topped with a bronze sundial engraved with Virginia localities
• Wall of Honor featuring tempered glass panels inscribed with over 200 women's names
• Oval granite plaza with seating benches located at the Virginia State Capitol
• Statues depicting diverse figures including Martha Washington, Maggie L. Walker, and Cockacoeske

Visiting tips

Take time to examine the Wall of Honor's tempered glass panels to read the names of over 200 influential women from Virginia history.

How long: 1 hour · Best time: Daytime

How to get there & what’s nearby

Virginia Women's Monument is easy to reach on Richmond’s public transport, and pairs naturally with American Civil War Museum and St. Peter's Church. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Richmond travel guide.