"Forward Into Light"

Eleanor Weyenberg

Age 15, Drawing and Painting Fall

When looking through the list of unsung heroes, I discovered many incredible stories and amazing people. Initially, I wasn't sure what I was interested in painting, or what story I would want to emphasize. I was debating between a few different heroes, but what drew me to Inez Milholland's story was the hope that she gave to women all over the world. Beginning as a lawyer, she was a talented speaker and an advocate for women's rights, as well as other topics, such as socialism and pacifism. With both small and large acts, she lit a way for women and others everywhere. When studying at Vassar, she worked to remove a rule that banned suffrage discussion on campus. She picketed at labor rights rallies and strikes, continuing her work even after being arrested. Inez Milholland gave many speeches in the United States and England, as well as advocating about pacifism when World War 1 was just beginning. Perhaps her most well-known action, however, is the Pennsylvania Avenue Parade. Wanting to be recognized as the "New Woman" of the twentieth century, she dressed in a flowy white cape and rode her horse, Gray Dawn, at the head of the parade. She was known as the Most Beautiful Suffragette. These incredible, yet mostly unrecognized acts helped so many women. Inez was truly a hero, who was compassionate, selfless, and brave. When she lost U.S. citizenship after marrying her husband, she still fought for American women's rights. She continued to fight for rights that she didn't even need to gain. I chose Inez Milholland because of her impactful story, her heroic traits, and her incredible work that has led to hope for the women of today. 

As I took a deep dive into her story, I realized both the simplicity and difficulty of being a hero. It can be so hard to be a hero, especially when people put you down, hurt you, and stop you. Most heroes don't get any recognition. Finding a way to make a difference is a challenge. What will actually help people? Can you make a difference? Will anyone join in? There are all these challenges, but along with those are many ways to succeed. Changing the world can mean doing all the little things you can do to help. It can be a small, kind gesture, helping someone in need, advocating your thoughts. As I did this project, I learned what it takes to be a hero. It doesn't take a cape or a huge headline in the news. It takes selflessness, courage, compassion, love, hope, and so much more. It is important to be a person who has the traits of a hero. 

To tell the story of Inez Milholland, I incorporated many details about her life and effect on the world into the painting. Inez rides her horse, Gray Dawn, which has a golden mane and tail. The color gold means compassion, generosity, and triumph, all traits and subjects connected to Inez. The gold also emphasizes the crown that Inez wears on her head, as well as the lettering on her banner. Inez is dressed in her white cloak and gloves, with accents of purple and blue that symbolize love, power and peace. Her face is supposed to look peaceful and strong as well, to match her personality. The sky transitions from night behind her into a dawn/early morning blue, emphasizing the quote written on her banner "Forward into light". She rides her horse "into the light", leaving the darkness of the past behind her. The crowds around her have many meanings. They portray the people in the crowds during the parade, the protestors, the people on strike, and her supporters. They are all women, displaying all the lives that Inez changed. The women move from dark to light and light to dark, symbolizing the struggles to lead females to the light that they deserved. They emerge from the shadows. I wanted to emphasize both the big and small achievements that Inez Milholland had.