For the first time in history, the Massachusetts State House will permanently honor two trailblazing women with busts in the Senate Chamber. Senate President Karen Spilka announced that Abigail Adams, an early advocate for women’s rights, and Elizabeth Freeman, the first enslaved woman to successfully sue for her freedom, will be recognized with sculptures in the heart of our state’s government. This long-overdue recognition ensures that their legacies—rooted in justice, equality, and resilience—will be permanently woven into the Commonwealth’s story.
Abigail Adams wasn’t just the wife of President John Adams—she was a force in her own right. At a time when women were largely excluded from political life, she used her sharp intellect and influence to push for change. In 1776, she famously wrote to her husband, urging him to “remember the ladies” as he and other founding fathers drafted the nation’s new laws. She warned that women would not be content to live under a government that failed to recognize their rights. While her plea was ignored at the time, her words have echoed through generations, laying the groundwork for the women’s rights movement that followed.
Elizabeth Freeman, on the other hand, didn’t just talk about justice—she demanded it. Born into slavery, she heard the words of the newly ratified Massachusetts Constitution, which declared that “all men are born free and equal,” and took them at face value. In 1781, she sued for her freedom in Brom & Bett v. Ashley—and won. Her victory didn’t just change her own life; it set a legal precedent that helped abolish slavery in Massachusetts. Freeman’s courage and determination proved that the fight for freedom wasn’t just theoretical—it was something that could be won, even against enormous odds.
Adams and Freeman lived in different worlds, but they were both pioneers in demanding justice. Adams pushed for women’s political representation, and Freeman forced the state to live up to its promise of equality. Their impact still resonates today, and their contributions to Massachusetts—and the country—deserve to be honored in the halls of power.
For too long, the walls of the Massachusetts State House have told an incomplete story, filled mostly with the faces of men. Representation matters, and adding these two busts is about more than just symbolism—it’s about setting the record straight. Women, especially women of color, have always been central to the fight for justice, and their presence in our history should be undeniable.
Now, as these sculptures take their rightful place in the Senate Chamber, they will stand as a permanent reminder of the women who helped shape Massachusetts. When future generations walk through those halls, they won’t just see the usual lineup of male figures—they’ll see Adams and Freeman, two women who dared to challenge the status quo and helped define what freedom really means.
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For media questions, please contact:
Giselle Rivera-Flores, Director of Communications at giselle.riveraflores@masenate.gov
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