What is the All Along Project?

The All Along Project is an initiative to honor the women who have shaped our communities.

How will All Along Work?

All Along will use existing NYC We’ve developed a system of markers that can be easily embedded within existing public spaces. These include sidewalk pavers, railing plaques, and free-standing signs. Our toolkits will contain all of the necessary components for community boards to begin their own tribute process, including a detailed outline covering the initial nomination process to installation instructions for the markers.

For further insight, each marker will be embedded with a QR code that will lead to a digital interface where viewers can read more about each honoree, see an interactive timeline, and find other All Along locations. We aim to create something that is visually appealing, tactile, and participatory. That makes it easy and fun for communities to band together and elevate women.

Who is All Along for?

Everyone. We want the All Along Project to help each community honor the women who have helped shape and define it. We are making an open source toolkit so the markers, process, and app can be used by any community to honor the women (or people) they chose to honor!

Who is the All Along Project Team?

The All Along Project was started as a collaboration between Jane Pool, Executive Director of Neighborhood Women, and Jane Lea, Principal of Lea Architecture. It has expanded to include the entire Lea Architecture team, and various collaborators.

Don’t Monuments to Women Already Exist?

Yes, of course they do, but the numbers are staggering. In New York City, only 1.9% percent of monuments and parks are named after women. New York City is not alone in facing this issue of underrepresentation. On a national level, monuments, statues, National Parks, and other public gathering spaces all lack vital representation of our country’s invaluable women. Only 6% of all statues nationwide include a female figure, and when you remove those that highlight fictional characters or symbolic figures (i.e. Lady Liberty or Lady Victory), you’re left with a depressing fact: only 0.3% of all statues in the United States honor real women.

Would This Project Require New Parks?

No! And it wouldn’t take over any of the existing parks either. The project would just add a layer of history to existing green spaces

Why not a park?

The initial concept for this project was to create a single park to honor all women. The idea transformed over time as we debated the value of having one central location versus a decentralized network. Ultimately, the idea of using the city's existing spaces emerged as the most organic and expandable solution. There are over 2500 Greenstreets and over 500 privately owned public spaces in NYC. These are largely unnamed and monument free. They are distributed throughout the city, enabling us to celebrate what has been in our distinct and diverse communities All Along. These unprogrammed green spaces provide an unparalleled way of bringing to light the names of those women who have made an impact at the very local level, those whose names we would never hear of otherwise.