The work ,Armored Silence, was inspired by Alice Paul and the women who refused to accept that silence should be their permanent place in history. Their courage changed the lives of generations they would never meet.
Not all silence is the same. There is the silence born from fear, the kind that keeps us from speaking our truth, asking difficult questions, or standing up for what matters.
And then there is the silence that comes from wisdom. The kind that listens before responding. The kind that allows understanding to grow instead of simply winning an argument.
As an educator, program designer, and artist, I have found that authentic communication begins long before we speak. It begins with knowing who we are, what we stand for, and when our voice is needed.
Alice Paul reminds us that some moments require extraordinary courage to speak, and.
some moments require equal courage to remain silent.
Both can change history.
Armored Silence is built from handmade paper pulp, glass, metal, and acrylic. These layered materials speak to both vulnerability and resilience. The figure is a contemporary woman carrying timeless strength, a reminder that every generation is asked to find its own voice while carrying forward the courage of those who came before.
I am deeply honored that Armored Silence was recognized by the National Association of Women Artists. To me, the award is a reminder that art can preserve conversations worth having, about the past, the present, and the choices we make every day.