Wisconsin & Forward

Wisconsin
          Forward

Who's that Lady? Forward or Wisconsin?
Although commonly misidentified as “Miss Forward,” it’s “Wisconsin” that stands atop our State Capitol. Part of the confusion may stem from that fact it’s said Wisconsin symbolizes our state motto "Forward". Another reason for confusion is there is also a statue named Forward on the Square that is a woman with her right arm extended upward.

Wisconsin
A 23-˝ caret gold-gilded bronze statue by Daniel Chester French that has graced the top of the Capitol since 1914. 15 feet, 5 inches tall, weighs over 3 tons. In her left hand she holds a globe with an eagle perched on it and on top of her helmet are clusters of grapes and our state animal the badger.

Forward
Made of Bronze. Represents a female figure standing upon the prow of a boat, the figure-head of which is 'Old Abe.' The boat is surging through the water, and the figure, poised gracefully but firmly upon the prow, stretches forth the right hand, while the left clasps the American flag to its bosom.
Sculpted by Jean Pond Miner for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Miner was born in Menasha in 1865 and grew up in Madison. She attended the Art Institute of Chicago where she had intended on becoming a portrait painter but classes with a famed sculptor convinced her to change her mind. In 1893 the Janesville Ladies Afternoon Club commissioned Miner to create a sculpture representative of Wisconsin for the Exposition.
Forward was placed at the east entrance to the State Capitol in 1895, was moved in 1916 to the N. Hamilton St. entrance where it remained until 1995. Years of exposure to the elements had damaged the delicate bronze sculpture so the decision was made to relocate the original work in 1998, a replica now stands on the Capitol Square on the State street corner. The real Forward currently resides in the headquarters building of the Wisconsin Historical Society.