In keeping with Paul Chelko’s vision to end gender bias and empower women world wide, The Chelko Foundation began an initiative to create a sculpture titled, One Woman Rising. Fabricated by Atlanta artisan Phil Proctor (Nucleus Sculpture Studio), assisted by Geo Brenick (Geo4Design), the abstract sculpted dancing woman speaks to the celebration of woman’s release from bondage empowering her to move into a new creative space. The statue depicts the grace of the feminine form and is painted by World Champion body painters, Scott Fray and Madelyn Greco (Living Brush Bodypainting).
Surrounding the sculpture is a railing where viewers may use ribbons and markers (provided) to share their reasons for rising and other stories of empowerment and survival.
Commissioned in 2013, One Woman Rising, in honor of The first, One Billion Rising, has become a global symbol of empowerment. Created as a lasting symbol and reminder “that until women are free, no one is free”. Gifted to the City of Atlanta, she now stands proudly in an upward dance on Freedom Park.