WASHINGTON, DC – The Commission on Historical Statues in the United States Capitol has approved the full-scale clay model of the statue of Barbara Rose Johns, that replaces Robert E Lee which was removed in 2020. The Commission’s decision last Saturday paves the way for the state to seek approval of the model, created by sculptor Steven Weitzman, from the Architect of the Capitol (AOC). A foundry in Chester, PA will begin the work to cast the bronze statue of Johns for display in the National Statuary Hall after the AOC approves the model.

The Statuary Hall Collection exhibits two representative statues for each state in the nation. Virginia’s other statue is of George Washington. Commission members received feedback on model from family members of Barbara Johns — who’ve been advising the sculptor throughout the creative process.

Johns, a student of RR Moton High School in Prince Edward County, at the age of 16 led student strikes protesting “separate, but equal”. An eventual federal lawsuit stemming from their protests were rolled into the case that led to the 1954 U.S. Supreme Court Brown vs. Board of Education decision.