The Women Are Persons! sculpture was previously located at Olympic Plaza, the future site of the Arts Commons Transformation. To make way for construction of the 170,000 square foot campus, the monument was removed in November 2024 and is now safely in storage until a relocation site is confirmed. 

The team is working to find a site large enough to hold the monument, which measures 9.75 metres in diameter with figures that stand eight feet tall. The relocation process also includes time to engage with Calgarians about the monument’s full history and the potential for a response piece. The Public Art team has been working with the Famous 5 Foundation, the original commissioners of the artwork, to identify a new location for the monument.

Part of the relocation will include exploring the full history of these figures and reflecting on what can be learned from the past to build a more inclusive future.

The Public Art team has commissioned a report written by a local historian that explores the lesser-known history of the Famous Five women. This report will provide a broader understanding of the women and historical facts. It will also inform and guide a response piece that will coincide with the relocation of the monument. As the stewards of the artwork, the Public Art team will consider what the monument means and how it can be reframed within a new location. 

A document called Additional Voices has also been commissioned. This is a compilation of essays written by individuals who share their opinions, research and lived experience in relation to the Famous Five and Women Are Persons! monument. This will present the reader with different perspectives and information to consider, acting as a complementary piece to the historical report. 

Upon completion, the historical report and Additional Voices document will be shared on this page.