Sculptor Amanda Matthews Addresses UN Delegates on
Art, Advocacy, and Rights of Women
"We must speak the words we’ve been warned not to speak, not in defiance
but in support of those being erased by our silence," said Matthews.
“Now is not the time to be silent!”
The United Nations event was hosted by the Missions of Switzerland, Costa Rica, and Cabo Verde.
H.E. Pascale Baeriswyl, Ambassador & Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the United Nations (left), H.E. Ms. Elisabeth Baume-Schneider, Head of Federal Dept. of Home Affairs of the Swiss Confederation (center), Amanda Matthews (right) lead a group of U.N. Delegates from around the world on a symbolic walk to The Girl Puzzle Monument.
“In a time when women’s voices are being silenced, we must speak – about agency, about safety, about poverty, about reproductive rights,” said Matthews. “Women must be present in board rooms and courtrooms, in hospitals, in research, and in governments so women are making critical decisions that affect women.”
Following a closed diplomatic U.N. meeting attended by the UN President of the General Assembly, the UN President of the Security Council, and the Executive Director of UN Women, attendees marched to The Girl Puzzle monument on Roosevelt Island, NYC, to launch the 69th United Nations session of the Commission on the Status of Women and to
commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
“Honoring Nellie Bly means inspiring us to continue her work with urgency, with clarity, and with vision for women and all marginalized people,” Matthews said.
Matthews spoke unequivocally about advocacy, representation, and women’s rights to a large audience of global
UN Dignitaries while standing before her monument, one of the world’s largest honoring diverse women.​​
"Our value is not determined by our service or servitude but is inherent to our humanity."
Amanda speaks about Women's Rights...
Amanda Matthews (left), H.E. Ms. Elisabeth Baume-Schneider, Head of Federal Dept. of Home Affairs of the Swiss Confederation (center), H.E. Pascale Baeriswyl, Ambassador & Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the United Nations (right)
Yiling Li, Chinese Special Consultative Status with ECOSOC United Nations, gives Amanda a gift made by Calligrapher, Li Guodong
H.E. Maritza Chan-Valverde, Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the UN (left), UN President of the General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Philemon Yang (center), Executive Director of UN Women, H.E. Ms. Sima Sami Bahous (right)
H.E. Ms. Elisabeth Baume-Schneider, Head of Federal Dept. of Home Affairs of the Swiss Confederation (left), H.E. Cecilia A.M. Adeng, Permanent Representative of South Sudan to the UN (left center), Amanda Matthews (right center), H.E. Prof. Akossiwa Zinsou-Klassou, Minister for Social Action & Women Promotion, Togo (right)
H.E. Stavros Lambrinidis, Head of European Union Delegation to the UN, New York (left)
Amanda Matthews (left), Prof. Dr. Georges-Simon Ulrich, Director Federal Statistical Office of Switzerland and Chariman of UN StatCom (right)
Amanda Matthews, (left) H.E. Stavros Lambrinidis, Head of European Union Delegation to the UN, New York (right)
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Amanda Matthews (left),
Ms. Florence Jolidon, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the UN
Susan Rosenthal speaking with Ms. Jennifer Cairnie, Director General, Women and Gender Equality, Canada
