In the United States, only 8% of public statues depict women. Within Buffalo, NY, and the National Parks system, that number drops to just 2%. To help shift that narrative, Miller Construction proudly partnered with Erie County and Joy Keubler Landscape Associates (JKLA) to increase those numbers by installing the Trailblazing Women Monuments Project.

Located in front of Old Erie County Hall at 92 Franklin Street in Buffalo, the project began with carefully removing 6- to 8-inch-thick medina sandstone pavers—original to the site and over 100 years old. This allowed for the installation of new statue foundations beneath the historic surface.

The team excavated to a depth of more than 5 feet, installing reinforced concrete footings over 3 feet thick to provide a stable base to support each statue for the next century.

Miller Construction collaborated closely with JKLA to determine the orientation of each statue—ensuring they respectfully honor the direction and legacy of the women they commemorate:

• Louise Blanchard Bethune: the first professional woman architect in the United States.
• Mary Talbert: a respected Civil Rights leader and member of the National Association of Colored Women’s Club, which played a key role in organizing the NAACP.
• Geraldine Green Sid-Tah: an essential figure in the Seneca Nation, renowned for spreading Indigenous knowledge throughout the region and the nation.

As a WBE-certified firm, Miller Construction was honored to contribute to this meaningful public installation and the long-overdue recognition of these trailblazing women.

To learn more about the initiative, visit trailblazingwomenwny.org.