In Rome, Georgia women have helped shape our rich history. Here are the ways that we honor them.
Ellen Axson Wilson Statue
Ellen Axson Wilson Memorial at the Town Green
The bronze statue stands at the east end of the Chief John Ross Memorial Bridge that crosses the Oostanaula River from West Third Street to The Forum. The first wife of President Woodrow Wilson, she grew up in Rome and is buried at Myrtle Hill Cemetery. The statue was placed by the Rome Area Council for the Art and is designed by Arizona artist Stephanie Hunter. The statue illustrates Wilson’s love of the arts as she stands at her easel, painting a scene while overlooking the river.
The Chiaha Monument
Dedicated to Ms. Connie Conn for her role in organizing the first Chiaha Harvest Fair in 1964, an annual community arts and crafts festival that still flourishes today. The monument is located on the Cotton Block (100 Block) of Broad Street.
The Woman Who Saved Football
Shortly after her son’s tragic death from a football accident, Rosalind Burns Gammon wrote a letter to her representative, which was a plea to veto legislation to outlaw college football in Georgia. She mentioned in her letter how his two friends were killed in rock climbing and skating accidents, yet these sports were not banned. Gov. Atkinson vetoed the bill on December 7, 1897. Rosalind is now credited as the woman who saved college football in Georgia. Locate her plaque in the sidewalk at 340 Broad Street.
Women of the Confederacy Monument
Believed to be the first monument in the world to honor the role of women in war. The monument was dedicated on March 9, 1910. The women of Rome served as nurses to both Union and Confederate soldiers in the many local hospitals. The inscription was written by President Woodrow Wilson.
Women of the Confederacy Monument
Women Honored at Veteran’s Plaza
More than 3,000 engraved bricks fill Veterans Plaza to honor and memorialize military veterans and civilians for their service to this country, many of which are women. Locate the plaza at Myrtle Hill Cemetery.
Grave of Martha Berry
Founder of Berry College, Martha Berry concluded that, in order to have sufficient impact on the children, she needed to keep them at the schools rather than have them live at home. The Berry schools became models for vocational, agricultural and mechanical schools throughout the world by showing how the needs of people in poor rural areas could be met. Through her schools, Berry blazed a trail for the establishment of an agricultural and mechanical school in each congressional district of Georgia. Her grave is located next to the College Chapel on the college campus.
Freedom Garden
The Freedom Garden is dedicated to the demonstrators of The Civil Rights Movement of Rome and was dedicated on December 8, 2007. Many brave students, including many female students from Main High engaged in “sit-in demonstrations” at downtown lunch counters on March 28,1963 to gain their equal rights and human rights. This garden is dedicated to them and is accessible from the parking lot behind the Carnegie building.
Rosie the Riveter Garden at the Town Green
This gardens honors the women who helped win WWII including local Rosie the Riveters and Rosies who are no longer with us. Rosie the Riveter is a cultural US icon representing American women who worked in all types of jobs including manufacturing, industry and production replacing men who were off at war. Located at the entrance to the Town Green closest to the Rome Area History Center.
Rome Area History Center
Stop by the Rome Area History Center during the month of March for a special Women’s History Display in the front window. Learn about the women who helped shape Rome’s history.
BONUS: Locate all of these markers mentioned in the story with the help of the Historical Marker Guide
Rome’s historical markers guide helps document our history and gives you insights into our culturally rich heritage. Rome is full of stories from our early Native American beginnings, to our Civil War history. Learn about our founding connection to Italy and the citizens who helped shape Rome into the town we all love to visit time and time again.
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