"Sigame" sculpture
photo from Our Oakland
"Sigame" ("follow me") is a 13' sculpture in Union Point Park. It was created by sculptor Scott Donahue in 2001 and is made of fiberglass, steel and concrete. It represents 20 women from Oakland's history, and plaques around the base tell about each.
The sculpture was originally designed to be placed in Union Point Park, but the park was still under construction. The dedication was scheduled for September 12, 2001, but delayed until October because of the events of 9/11. It was temporarily placed in Frank H. Ogawa Plaza in downtown Oakland, where it drew controversy because of its appearance. The sculpture was moved to Union Point Park, c.2005.
According to the artist, the librarians at the Oakland History Center were consulted for which women to include.
Women Represented
| Name | Dates | Plaque Text |
| Cagute | 1733–1803 | Jalquin Bay Miwok, the last Oakland area woman to join the Missions, 1803 |
| Jausate | 1764–1784 | Huchiun Ohlone, first Oakland area woman to move to Mission Dolores, 1782 |
| Maria Luisa Ruruesmain | 1766–1823 | Huchiun Ohlone, daughter of Louemain the basket weaver, first generation to speak Spanish |
| Maria Loreta Alviso (Peralta) | 1771–1836 | Mother in the first Spanish family to settle in Oakland |
| Hannah Jayne Adams | 1819–1894 | First Oakland teacher, 1852 |
| Ina Coolbrith | 1841–1928 | California's first Poet Laureate, 1915, and first director of Oakland Library |
| Anna Head | 1857–1932 | Educator, and founder of local school |
| Delilah Beasley | 1867–1934 | Pioneer historian of California's African American community |
| Julia Morgan | 1872–1957 | Architect and designer of the Hearst Castle |
| Ethel Moore | 1872–1920 | Social Worker and founder of the Oakland Social Settlement |
| Isadora Duncan | 1877–1927 | Choreographer and pioneer of modern dance |
| Dr. Marcella Ford | 1900–[2001] | Pioneer of African American education |
| Dominga Velasco "Domingita" | 1901–[2015] | Pioneer of the Mexican-American movement in Oakland |
| Antonia Brico | 1902–1989 | Orchestral conductor |
| Ida Jackson | 1902–1996 | First African American public school teacher in Oakland |
| Ruth Beckford | 1925– | Choreographer of modern and African-Haitian dance |
| March Fong Eu | 1927–[2017] | First woman to be elected California secretary of state |
| Zoe Ann Olsen | 1931– | Olympic diver, Silver Medalist in 1948, Bronze Medalist in 1952 |
| Arabella Martinez | 1937– | Co-founder of The Unity Council and developer of the Fruitvale Transit Village |
| Amy Tan | 1952– | Author of The Joy Luck Club and other novels |
Links and References
- "Strong women of Oakland / Statute [sic] honors 20 artists, leaders," San Francisco Chronicle, August 3, 2001
- Broken Promises - On the arts: The City Wants Respect, But Artists Just Want a Wall of their Own, East Bay Express, December 26, 2001
- Sigamé/Follow Me, 2001, Scott Donohue
- Statue saluting women finds temporary home by Annalee Allen Oakland Tribune August 5, 2001
