SCAD celebrates Savannah’s Women of Vision

Written by Caeley Jones. Photo courtesy of SCAD

Inside Arnold Hall Theater, there are gorgeous golden reliefs adorning the walls that celebrate the women of Savannah’s past and those that are paving the way for the future. These women span across centuries, from Mary Musgrove Matthews Bosomworth in the 18th century to the present day with Linda J. Evans. The Savannah Women of Vision investiture was created by SCAD President and Founder Paula Wallace to celebrate the women who helped build Savannah. These women are celebrated for their intellect, leadership and service to the Savannah Community. 

These pioneering women helped and continue to foster meaningful change in the growth of Savannah. There were four new inductees this year: Linda J. Evans, Joyce Roché, Gale Singer and Sarah Mills Hodge.

Linda J. Evans is a philanthropist that many students might know through her work with her husband at the SCAD Museum of Art. She and her husband gifted more than 60 works to the Walter O. Evans Center for African-American Studies, forming the foundation. She is a true leader in the arts, education and giving back to the community.

Joyce Roché served as executive vice president of global marketing for Avon, becoming the first African American woman to hold the position, making headlines and paving the way as she went. She is a board member of many Savannah foundations and has a desire to see the city become the best version of itself.

Gale Singer is the founder and president of Circa Lighting, one of the country’s leading light fixture retailers. She has a passion for customer service and fosters the interior design industry in Savannah.

Sarah Mills Hodge lived during the time of segregation and used her position as a wealthy white woman in the south to uplift those around her. She established the Hodge Free Kindergarten for Black children which still operates as a daycare. Hodge also established the Mills Memorial Home for elderly Black men.

There was a beautiful induction ceremony where professors, students, members of the community and past inductees attended. American Idol winner Candice Glover kicked off the ceremony with a moving performance. She was followed by remarks from 2020 Women of Vision honoree Suzanne Shank, the “two trillion-dollar woman.” Poetesses performed and the ceremony was closed with a performance by the SCAD HoneyBees who never disappoint. 

Originally inspired by the mural on the wall surrounding the Arnold Hall Theater stage depicting the men who founded Savannah, the golden reliefs place each woman of vision into a larger-than-life plaque with smaller plaques with their names in the lobby of Arnold Hall. Created by SCAD alumnus Michael Port, these reliefs are hand-carved and gilded, permanently on display to solidify these women’s place in history. 
Learn more by visiting Arnold Hall, the website for Women of Vision, and watching the film.