SCAD celebrates ‘Women of Vision’
Photographed by Jordan Saxon
Written by Anthony O’Baner and Asli Shebe
Arnold Hall underwent a swift renovation for the valiant ceremony where SCAD founder and president, Paula Wallace, paid homage to 10 heroines who have positively affected education, politics, fine arts and more. The event took place on Friday, Feb. 12 at the Arnold Hall auditorium.
Mary Musgrove Matthews Bosomworth, Abigail Minis, 
Mother Mathilda Beasley, Juliette Gordon Low, Flannery O’Connor, Nancy N. Lewis, Emma Morel Adler, Frances Wong, Alice Andrews Jepson and Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears were honored for their many contributions to Savannah.
“The Savannah Women of Vision initiative has been on my mind for just about 10 years –ever since I walked into Arnold Hall, which has long been an important edifice of education as a junior high school, a high school, and now home of SCAD’s School of Liberal Arts,” said Wallace.
The women –who have been viewed as role models to both women and men– were celebrated and acclaimed through music, prose and art. Faculty, students and family and friends of the honorees attended and joined in the celebration of the visionaries.
“By holding high the Savannah Women of Vision as exemplars of enterprise, education, diplomacy, law, philanthropy, and literature, I hope to light the way for youth – young women and men alike,” stated Wallace.
“Many SCAD students have seen the mural that frames the theater… If you’re like me, you probably noticed that these figures are remarkably homogenous: they are all men! I was delighted to have the opportunity to set the record straight. From now on, everyone who enters the theater will find a wall of portraits honoring the city’s female trailblazers,” Wallace added.
As an everlasting act of admiration, the walls of the auditorium have been decorated with portraits of each honoree, created by SCAD painting alumnus, Michael Porten. Not only will these women be permanently represented at Arnold through the artwork, but both students and the public will be more informed and will endlessly remember how important the 10 “Savannah Women of Vision” are to every aspect of Savannah.
“I could talk for days about each of the 10 visionary women, knowing that their stories –like the best of storie– will always have meaning and application for the lives of contemporary women and men,” said Wallace.
The event was a celebration of women, with a handful of female SCAD alumni speaking on behalf of the Women of Vision. The alumni included Susan Laney, Meredith Sutton, Clare Ward, Zoe Suet Leung, Ayeola Johnson, Osayi Endolyn, Amy Lind, Felicia Bell, Elizabeth Seeger Jolly, Capucine Gros and Elva Jiang. The SCAD graduates outlined the altruistic attributes of the honorees, illustrated their journeys and underlined their many achievements.
With each commemorative speech came another lit portrait. By the time performing arts graduates, George Lovett and Kiandra Richardson, were singing the first bars of “Reach Out and Touch,” the last portrait had been lit and the audience sat encompassed in the illuminated faces of 10 remarkable women. The portraits will forever act as a reminder that the memory of these women — much like their impact — is not to be forgotten.
For more information on the Women of Vision visit SCADs’ website.
