Houston’s New Booker T. Washington Sculpture

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
A school in Houston Independent School District recently received a historical bronze sculpture, a testament to our community’s rich history and shared pride. Houston Sculptor Bridgette Mongeon, known for her Alice in Wonderland Sculpture in Evelyn’s Park, also has a trend of creating school mascots. Her collection includes the Grambling Tiger at Grambling University, the Prairie View Panther at Prairie View A&M, and a new sculpture of Carlson Tough at Tough Elementary for Conroe ISD, which she installed last December.

On May 18th, 2024, amidst the cleanup from the Houston storm, Mongeon added one more school sculpture to her list. This time, she celebrates in her neighborhood with the unveiling of “THE VISION” Community Statue Project featuring Booker T. Washington. Houston ISD states, “This sculpture is the third statue of an African American in the City of Houston, after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and former U.S. Rep. George Thomas “Mickey” Leland, and the first in the historically black neighborhood of Independence Heights.”

This eight-year project not only memorializes one of the most outstanding educators in African American history but also symbolizes the future of education. It is more than just a statue; it is a new park with a rocket and a wind turbine that provides electricity to the park, both of which are a part of the educational collaboration of the students at the first magnet school in Houston—Booker T. Washington High School and The School for Engineering Professions. This collaboration, with its STEAM focus, inspires us about the future of education and its impact on our community. 

Mongeon fits right into this project as she has a heart for education, especially STEAM education. STEAM is an interdisciplinary education focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. She uses these in her art studio and even wrote a book about her work and those creating using STEAM worldwide. The book is titled “3D Technology in Fine Art and Craft: Exploring 3D Printing, Scanning, Sculpting and Milling.” She donated a copy of the book to the Booker T. Washington school library. 

The unveiling celebration was a momentous occasion, made even more special by the presence of esteemed alums. The two oldest living graduates, Dr F.N. Williams, Sr., class of 1945, and Charlotte Kelly Bryant, Class of 1948, were given the honor of pulling the golden rope of the blue satin cover to reveal the statue.

This life-size-and-a-half bronze sculpture of a seated Booker T. Washington, legs crossed, sits dignified on a bronze period chair. His head raised, you expect him to begin speaking as his hand rests on his biography. The sculpture sits atop a tiered concrete plinth and large granite. The inscription on the bronze plaque attached to the dark grey granite displays a famous quote by Booker T Washington, “I have learned that success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.” 

A smaller plaque in front of the plinth reads, “Success always leaves footprints.” Another quote by Booker T. Washington. “Our most profound appreciation to all those whose footprints walked along with ours on this journey, especially:

The honorable Senfronia Thompson, BTW Class of 1957, The Honorable Sylvester Turner, The Honorable Sheila Jackson Lee, The honorable John Whitmire, and the Honorable Jarvis Johnson.”

Many notables were in attendance, and though Mayor Whitmire was busy tending to the city and all its needs, after the storm, he was there in spirit and attended the private viewing of the clay in the artist’s studio last year. 

“This was a special project for me,” states the artist.  “It is my neighborhood and so close that if I leave the doors of my studio open, I can hear the band play while I work.”  

The sculpture, a symbol of the school’s rich history, now faces Yale Street on the fenced school property in Independence Heights. It is a center point to new amphitheater seating, where future generations will gather to learn and celebrate.

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For more information about this press release or to receive permission from HISD to film on the property contact Jessica Brown or Bridgette Mongeon at 713-540-3201 or through email.