Maggie O’Neill has contributed to the vibrant arts scene of Washington D.C. for more than two decades. Her name and work are synonymous with artistic innovation, entrepreneurship, and activism, and she strongly believes that art can support and drive societal change.
Her newest project, which focuses on storytelling through art, is Vote For Your Daughter, and leverages the visual and emotional impact of 51 statues – each representing a different state and the District of Columbia. The statues were designed to educate voters about the challenges facing women and girls in the United States today, and spark conversation, foster empathy, and inspire action.
“I think it will stop people in their tracks,” Maggie says, underscoring the project’s goal to make an impact. “My dream is that this really moves the needle on civic discourse and action and that it galvanizes people in a completely different way and connects people in a completely different way.”
The project – an intersection of art and activism – will be unveiled in Washington D.C. on June 24, marking the day that Roe v. Wade was overturned. While the statues are all similar, no two are alike. That is because the issues facing women are different in every state. The most important thing is to be aware of the issues, and use our power and vote, specifically, vote for our daughters.
Maggie refers to herself as a “creative problem solver who happens to be an artist,” Vote For Your Daughter represents creating art for activism to fulfill the inherent responsibility that she believes we all have to one another. This is territory that Maggie knows well and where she thrives. She believes that art has the power to connect people and convey critical messages, particularly in a time when we are not listening to one another in other ways.
“Art is going to be the connector in the future for us because technology is creating more and more divisiveness,” she notes.
Maggie and Dr. Nancy discussed how art being taken out of schools, as well as many other subjects, removes opportunities to express ourselves and celebrate our contributions as women and girls. This motivates Maggie to speak even louder with her public art because she sees our rights and freedoms being taken away. She shared a discussion she had with activists from countries with failed democracies who no longer had the power to use their art as she does. It’s too late for them, but not for her or us. We can still vote.
As Vote For Your Daughter moves forward with its mission to use art to educate and inspire American voters and advocate for women’s rights, you can help by sharing their message far and wide, and collecting VFYD t-shirts and souvenirs, but time is short.
To learn more about Maggie O’Neill’s work and how you can support the Vote For Your Daughter campaign, visit www.voteforyourdaughter.com.
Listen on Red Circle | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Watch on YouTube