A Seat at the Table - The Making of Buffalo's Shirley Chisholm Statue

On May 1st, 2025, New York State Senator Sean Ryan joined partners from Forest Lawn Cemetery and Burchfield Penney Art Center to officially unveil a statue depicting Shirley Chisholm outside of Forest Lawn’s Birchwood Mausoleum, Chisholm’s final resting place. Other notable attendees included Congressman Tim Kennedy and New York State Senator April Baskin. 

Chisholm made history as the first Black woman to serve in the United States Congress in 1968 and the first Black candidate to seek a major party’s nomination for president in 1972. During her political career, she was a tireless champion of women, minorities, and the poor. She fought for education and wage reform, and touted herself as “the people’s politician.” While in Congress, she advocated for programs like Head Start, school lunches, and food stamps. Notably, Chisholm was a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus and the National Women’s Political Caucus. After her retirement from Congress in 1983, Chisholm lived for several years in Williamsville, New York with her husband, Buffalo native and fellow former New York State Assemblymember Arthur Hardwick. 

The statue was commissioned using state funding secured by Senator Ryan to honor Chisholm’s legacy and convey that women – particularly Black women – are capable of anything. It was designed by Buffalo artist Julia Bottoms and cast in bronze by Gareth Lichty. Bottoms’ concept was designed to evoke emotion and inspire reflection through a series of elements that reference Chisholm’s life and legacy. It features Chisholm standing behind a podium adorned with the seal of the 1972 Democratic National Convention, with her hand raised high in the air displaying a peace sign. On one side of the podium is a plaque featuring Chisholm’s famous quote: “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” Propped against the opposite side of the podium is a folding chair, providing a symbolic reference to the quote. 

The statue is the first known statue in Chisholm’s likeness to be completed, though others have been announced for Prospect Park and Brower Park in New York City. U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock and Congresswoman Yvette Clarke have sponsored legislation to bring a Shirley Chisholm statue to the United States Capitol. 

Senator Ryan commissioned the statue with the intention that it would serve as a tool to help educate future generations of Western New Yorkers about Chisholm’s national impact and local ties. 

Project Artist: Julia Bottoms 

Bronze Casting: Gareth Lichty 

Project Curator: Zainab Saleh 

Project Consultant: Monica Angle 

Steering Committee: 
Senator Sean Ryan 
Senator April Baskin
Gabrielle Harrington 
Dr. Barbara Seals Nevergold 
Ruth Bryant 
Melissa Brown 
Julie Snyder 
Scott Propeack 
Zainab Saleh 

Archival Material: 
Buffalo History Museum Archives 
NYC Dept of Records and Information Services 
Associated Press 

Special Thanks to: 
Wagner Monuments 
US Congressman Tim Kennedy 

Video by Quentin Jarzynski