Rediscovering Emma Lazarus
After her friend Emma Lazarus passed away in 1887, poet and activist Georgina Schuyler came across Lazarus’s poem “The New Colossus.” The poem, written in 1883, had not gained recognition, but Schuyler believed its powerful message about welcoming immigrants to America was needed.
Campaign to Save Liberty
In 1901, Schuyler started a campaign to have the poem inscribed on the Statue of Liberty’s pedestal. At the time, the statue faced neglect and had lost much of its initial appeal. Schuyler worked with contacts, including magazine editor Richard Watson Gilder, and coordinated with the American Committee of the Statue of Liberty.
Plaque Installed and New Meaning Adopted
On May 5, 1903, Schuyler’s efforts succeeded. A bronze plaque bearing Lazarus’s words was installed in the statue’s pedestal, introducing the world to the “huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” While the rebranding of the statue was gradual, by 1917, Liberty was widely embraced as a symbol of welcome for immigrants.
The Woman Who Gave the Statue of Liberty New Purpose đź—˝
Rediscovering Emma Lazarus
After her friend Emma Lazarus passed away in 1887, poet and activist Georgina Schuyler came across Lazarus’s poem “The New Colossus.” The poem, written in 1883, had not gained recognition, but… pic.twitter.com/krmjvhSGtN— Detective Tiger’s Stories (@TigerDetective) October 31, 2024