ARTIST STATEMENT
When thinking of feminists, one does not typically think of presidents of the United States. Yet three Presidents from more than 45 years ago helped set the stage for the feminist movement of the late 20th century. President Dwight D. Eisenhower appointed 42 women to prominent government positions, including cabinet and diplomatic posts, helping pave the way for future female leaders. President Gerald R. Ford publicly supported the Equal Rights Amendment and appointed more women to high-level policy-making roles and judicial positions than any other previous chief executive. President Jimmy Carter appointed a record 41 women to Federal judgeships, including Ruth Bader Ginsburg to the U.S. Court of Appeals. Despite opposition, all three provided their wives the opportunity for unprecedented activist roles both in the Federal government and in American life in general.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Award-winning Chicago artist Anne Nordhaus-Bike creates watercolors and mixed media art. Anne’s work has appeared in solo and group shows and arts programs, presentations, and performances. Her art also has been published in periodicals and books; covered in numerous print publications; and featured in broadcast media, both on television and feature films. She received a degree in art history, with honors, from the University of Chicago, then launched a fine arts column that ran for two decades in the Gazette Chicago newspaper, which gained fame for its award winning political and arts coverage. Anne served Gazette Chicago in various capacities since the newspaper’s founding in 1983 and joined the board in 2004. Her journalism background inspired her to paint portraits of all U.S. presidents; the series won a solo exhibition and garnered widespread media coverage, including a television feature. Anne has been a member of Woman Made since 1998.
© Anne Nordhaus-Bike