In The Footsteps Of Nellie Bly Free Virtual Zoom Lecture Tuesday February 15 With Author Rosemary Brown And Girl Puzzle Sculptor Amanda Mathews Hosted By Roosevelt Island Historical Society And NYPL Roosevelt Island Branch
A celebration of the life and legacy of Nellie Bly
journalist, adventurer and humanitarian on the centennial of
her death (January 27, 1922) with a focus on her record-breaking
race around the world declared the most remarkable of all feats
of circumnavigation ever performed by a human being, by The New
York World, 1890.
Rosemary J Brown
is a London-based journalist and author of Following Nellie Bly:
Her Record-Breaking Race Around the World (Pen and Sword Books,
2021) where she re-traced Blys epic 72-day journey to pay
tribute to the pioneering woman now commemorated in the recently
inaugurated The Girl Puzzle monument on Roosevelt Island. Brown
is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society with a quest to
get female adventurers back on the map.
Rosemary will be joined by Amanda Matthews, the sculptor of “The Girl Puzzle’‘ located on Roosevelt Island. Amanda is an award-winning
sculptor and designer of public art and the space it
inhabits. She is also a public speaker and the CEO of
Prometheus Art, a Design/Build Firm owned with her
partner/husband, Brad Connell, located in Lexington, KY.
Matthews work reflects a commitment to women, fairness, civil
rights, and lifting muted and marginalized voices. She
designs large-scale monuments and installations with emphasis on
accessibility for all people. Her work recognizes and honors the
plight of women, those who are marginalized, the LGBTQ+
community, and others who are still seeking equal rights and
representation.
The ribbon cutting and opening ceremony of last Friday’s “The Girl Puzzle” monument
honoring journalist Nelly Bly at Lighthouse Park is not only a
local Roosevelt Island story.
“The Girl Puzzle”
Nelly Bly monument, designed by Amanda Mathews, is also a national story and was covered by the CBS Saturday
Morning TV program. Watch the video, it’s well done and
informative.
Also, here are the remarks of Ms Mathews at “The Girl Puzzle” ribbon cutting and grand opening ceremony on Friday December 11, 2021.
