Portland's Walk of the Heroines

Flora Family Foundation's Matching Challenge Grant

Many thanks to the one hundred and thirty wonderful donors whose gifts met the Flora Family Foundation’s challenge to raise $70,000 for the Fountain in Honor of Mothers by Mother’s Day 2007.  We are especially grateful to the Flora Family Foundation, whose original gift of $100,000 to name "The Fountain in Honor of Mothers" so beautifully expressed the spirit of the Walk of the Heroines.  Their additional matching gift of $70,000 has taken us well beyond our campaign goal.  Donations for the match totaled $79,517 and included the PSU students’ Mothers Day card campaign.  Thanks especially to ASPSU President, Courtney Morse, who spearheaded this campaign.

The Fountain in Honor of Mothers powerfully evokes the buoyancy and boundless energy of "Motherwork." Design elements and programmatic features that reflect Motherwork include:

  • Words for mothers in a range of languages engraved in the base of the fountain suggest many cultural traditions. The shimmer and movement of water add aesthetic vitality.
  • Quotes from diverse women writers on pavings around the fountain convey an array of ideas associated with motherhood.
  • Water erupting suggests beginnings, alternating between gentle and forceful flow, strength and softness.
  • Areas for children to play, for families to visit and enjoy. 

The Educational Kiosk will include web links on maternal cultural practices around the world.