Queen Isabella Association

Beginning at the end of the 1880s, plans were being prepared to create an exposition celebrating the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America by Europeans (the quadro-centential).

At the same time, Congress decreed that there would be a Board of Lady Managers to address and organize the inclusion of women in the World's Columbian Exposition.

The group believed that women were equal to men and were capable of pursuing professional careers outside the home.

The group took as their inspiration Queen Isabella of Spain, who had made Columbus' voyage to the New World possible.

[3] Illinois Woman Suffrage Association founder Catharine Van Valkenburg Waite first suggested the idea of erecting a statue of Isabella.

Palmer rewrote the minutes of the first meeting, including altering the bylaws to give the board president more decision-making power.

[5] The group commissioned the statue from sculptor Harriet Hosmer, herself a member of the Queen Isabella Society.