A Seat at the Table

An empowering public art installation

On October 11 in recognition of the International Day of the Girl, over 400 uniquely designed folding chairs lined the perimeter of Columbus School for Girls’ campus, facing Broad Street and Drexel Avenue.

The art installation, a project led by the Center for Girls’ & Young Women’s Leadership, was a fitting way to highlight our students’ unique voices while giving them a critical thinking opportunity. The chairs also served as a very physical reminder of the importance of advocating for access to change-making avenues. A Seat at the Table was inspired by the words and work of former New York State Representative Shirley Chisholm, and her famous quote, “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.”

Highlighting causes and topics of interest on everything from animal rights, to environmental concerns, to the gender disparity regarding equal pay, the chairs were uniquely designed by every CSG student to represent issues that were important to them.

Columbus School for Girls Head of School Camille Seals said the project gave students the opportunity to discover and give voice to their own perspectives.

“Whether it’s our youngest learners sharing their passion for animals or our older students communicating the importance of environmental justice and women’s rights, we’re giving our girls the information and experiences they need to find and use their own voices to be the change they wish to see in the world,” she said.

Students were inspired to learn more about the importance of advocating for access to not only bring about positive change for themselves, but also their communities. The diversity of chairs represents the diversity of ideas each CSG student brings to her table—here at school and later after she enters the larger world.