PHOTOS: 10 bronze statues of inspirational women in NYC by Statues for Equality"

Nov 16, 2019 -- Yahoo News! -- Statues for Equality is a global mission to balance gender representation in public statues and honor women’s contribution to society. Gender inequality is among the most critical issues facing the world today, and having a public display of inspirational women for the world to see is a tangible step humanity can make toward a more equal society. Sadly the representation of female statues in most western countries is less than 4 percent.

On Woman’s Equality Day in New York City, Statues for Equality was launched and history was made with some of the world’s most influential woman. Ten inspirational and larger-than-life bronze female statues were unveiled on the iconic Avenue of the Americas to increase female representation in public art statues, from 3 percent to 9 percent overnight. Among these women are Oprah Winfrey, Jane Goodall, Cate Blanchett, P!nk and Nicole Kidman.

It was a long and complicated process to make sure each of the statues was a depiction of the woman precisely how she wanted to be seen. The artists began with a portrait study. To better understand the individual faces, artists Gillie and Marc began by first sketching, then painting the faces of each woman.

This process, starting in 2D, is important for developing the expressions and to allow the individual personalities to shine through when crafting the clay mold and transforming them into bronze masterpieces. Painted on fabric from around the world, they represent the diversity of womankind. Each painting has its own texture, shape and feel. From there, the artists collaborated with the women further. Each woman decided her own pose, outfit and flower on which to stand for her statue in bronze.

Gillie and Marc now want to expand their project around the world, with the goal of reaching complete gender equality of public sculptures — 50 percent —across the globe by 2025. (Statues for Equality)

Photography by Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News

Cate Blanchett

Cate Blanchett is an internationally acclaimed, award-winning actress, producer, humanitarian and dedicated member of the arts community. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Cate Blanchett is an internationally acclaimed, award-winning actress, producer, humanitarian and dedicated member of the arts community. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
In recognition of her continued advocacy for the arts and support of humanitarian and environmental causes, Blanchett has been awarded the Companion of the Order of Australia in the General Division, the Centenary Medal for Service to Australian Society through Acting and the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Minister of Culture. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)

Gabby Douglas

Three-time Olympic gold medalist Gabby Douglas is an American artistic gymnast, noted for her trailblazing performances in individual all-around and team competitions. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
Three-time Olympic gold medalist Gabby Douglas is an American artistic gymnast, noted for her trailblazing performances in individual all-around and team competitions. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
In 2012, she was named female athlete of the year for her landmark sporting achievements. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
In 2012, she was named female athlete of the year for her landmark sporting achievements. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

Tracy Dyson

One of the most prominent women in the U.S. space agency NASA, Tracy Caldwell Dyson is an American chemist and astronaut. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
One of the most prominent women in the U.S. space agency NASA, Tracy Caldwell Dyson is an American chemist and astronaut. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
She was selected by NASA following her groundbreaking research into molecular level surface reactivity. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
She was selected by NASA following her groundbreaking research into molecular level surface reactivity. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)

Jane Goodall

Perhaps the world’s most noted conservationist, Dame Jane Morris Goodall, DBE, is an English primatologist, anthropologist and the world’s foremost expert on chimpanzees. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Perhaps the world’s most noted conservationist, Dame Jane Morris Goodall, DBE, is an English primatologist, anthropologist and the world’s foremost expert on chimpanzees. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, she is highly regarded for the many decades of study she has done on social and family interactions of wild chimpanzees. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, she is highly regarded for the many decades of study she has done on social and family interactions of wild chimpanzees. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)

Nicole Kidman

Australian-American actress Nicole Kidman is beloved around the world for her roles in films such as "Moulin Rouge!," "The Hours" and "Lion" and the highly acclaimed television series "Big Little Lies." (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Australian-American actress Nicole Kidman is beloved around the world for her roles in films such as "Moulin Rouge!," "The Hours" and "Lion" and the highly acclaimed television series "Big Little Lies." (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Kidman is one of the most adored and respected people in Hollywood, with her films grossing more than $3.9 billion worldwide. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Kidman is one of the most adored and respected people in Hollywood, with her films grossing more than $3.9 billion worldwide. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)

Janet Mock

New York Times bestselling author Janet Mock is an American writer, producer, director, advocate for trans rights and the founder of #GirlsLikeUs, a social media project that empowers trans women. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
New York Times bestselling author Janet Mock is an American writer, producer, director, advocate for trans rights and the founder of #GirlsLikeUs, a social media project that empowers trans women. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
She gained prominence as a contributing editor for Marie Claire and for her inspirational memoirs "Redefining Realness" and "Surpassing Certainty." (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
She gained prominence as a contributing editor for Marie Claire and for her inspirational memoirs "Redefining Realness" and "Surpassing Certainty." (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)

P!nk

Twenty-first-century pop idol P!nk is a three-time Grammy-winning singer-songwriter who has released seven studio albums, had 15 top-10 singles, sold over 50 million albums worldwide and sold out tours all over the world. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Twenty-first-century pop idol P!nk is a three-time Grammy-winning singer-songwriter who has released seven studio albums, had 15 top-10 singles, sold over 50 million albums worldwide and sold out tours all over the world. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
P!nk is one of the most widely respected and popular musicians on earth. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
P!nk is one of the most widely respected and popular musicians on earth. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)

Cheryl Strayed

Novelist, essayist and memoirist Cheryl Strayed is an American author whose books have been published in more than 30 languages. Strayed’s memoir, "Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail," chronicles her 1,100-mile solo hike on the Pacific Crest Trail, which she embarked on after losing her mother to cancer. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Wild's memoir reached No. 1 on the New York Times bestseller list and was adapted into an Oscar-nominated film starring Reese Witherspoon. Strayed’s book "Tiny Beautiful Things," a collection of her popular Dear Sugar columns, has influenced the well-being of untold readers around the world and spawned her top-rated Dear Sugars podcast. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)

Tererai Trent

Humanitarian, scholar, educator and author Tererai Trent is one of the world’s most internationally recognized voices for quality education and women’s empowerment. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Humanitarian, scholar, educator and author Tererai Trent is one of the world’s most internationally recognized voices for quality education and women’s empowerment. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Distinguished as Oprah Winfrey’s “All-time favorite guest,” Trent is a prominent activist for equal rights to education, her contribution to this cause born from her own fight against adversity. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Distinguished as Oprah Winfrey’s “All-time favorite guest,” Trent is a prominent activist for equal rights to education, her contribution to this cause born from her own fight against adversity. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)

Oprah Winfrey

Recognizable across the world, Oprah Winfrey is a global media leader, philanthropist, producer, actress, author and the world’s first black female billionaire. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Recognizable across the world, Oprah Winfrey is a global media leader, philanthropist, producer, actress, author and the world’s first black female billionaire. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Winfrey has created an unparalleled connection with people around the world, making her one of the most respected and admired figures today. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Winfrey has created an unparalleled connection with people around the world, making her one of the most respected and admired figures today. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)

Justice Ginsburg (being erected in 2020)

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has devoted her life’s work to promoting equal justice for all — as the pioneering director of the Women’s Rights Project at the American Civil Liberties Union, arguing landmark cases on gender equality before the Supreme Court; as a Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit; and as the second woman to serve as an associate justice of the Supreme Court. Justice Ginsburg’s lifelong commitment to equal justice has inspired millions worldwide.