Vinnie Ream became the first woman to be given an art commission by the U.S. Government when she was still a teenager. Part one covers the controversy that arose as she lobbied for that job.

Research:

• “Andrew Johnson and Reconstruction.” National Parks Service. https://www.nps.gov/anjo/andrew-johnson-and-reconstruction.htm
• Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Vinnie Ream". Encyclopedia Britannica, 16 Nov. 2023, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Vinnie-Ream
• “The Case of Miss Vinnie Ream, The Latest National Disgrace.” The Daily Phoenix. June 12, 1868. https://www.newspapers.com/image/72225424/?terms=%22vinnie%20ream%22%20&match=1
• “Clark Mills and the Jackson Equestrian Statue (1853–1856).” The Historic New Orleans Collection. https://www.hnoc.org/virtual/andrew-jackson/clark-mills-and-jackson-equestrian-statue-1853%E2%80%931856
• Cooper, Edward S. “Vinnie Ream, a American Sculptor.” Academy Chicago Publishers. 2004.
• “Curious Developments in the House.” The Abingdon Virginian. June 5, 1868. https://www.newspapers.com/image/584634251/?terms=%22vinnie%20ream%22%20&match=1
• “The Farragut Statue.” The Portland Daily Press. April 26, 1881. https://www.newspapers.com/image/875207459/?terms=%22Vinnie%20Ream%22%20&match=1
• Fling, Sarah. “Philip Reed Enslaved Artisan in the President's Neighborhood.” White House Historical Association. Dec, 8, 2020. https://www.whitehousehistory.org/philip-reed
• Healy, George Peter Alexander. “Vinnie Ream.” Smithsonian American Art Museum. https://americanart.si.edu/artwork/vinnie-ream-10167
• “A Homely Woman’s Opinion of a Pretty One.” Leavenworth Times. Sept. 6, 1866. https://www.newspapers.com/image/380121072/?terms=vinnie%20ream&match=1
• “Impeachment Trial of President Andrew Johnson, 1868.” United States Senate. https://www.senate.gov/about/powers-procedures/impeachment/impeachment-johnson.htm
• “The Lincoln Statue.” Chicago Tribune. Aug. 21, 1866. https://www.newspapers.com/image/349536265/?terms=%22vinnie%20ream%22%20&match=1
• “Miss Ream’s Statue.” The Delaware Gazette. Feb. 17, 1871. https://www.newspapers.com/image/329775503/?terms=%22Vinnie%20Ream%22%20&match=1
• “Sequoyah Statue.” Architect of the Capitol. https://www.aoc.gov/explore-capitol-campus/art/sequoyah-statue
• Sherwood, Glenn V. “Labor of Love.” Sunshine Press Publications. 1997.
• “Who is Miss Vinnie Ream?” The Hartford Courant. Aug. 7, 1866. https://www.newspapers.com/image/369077872/?terms=vinnie%20ream&match=1
• “Vinnie Ream.” Architect of the Capitol. https://www.aoc.gov/explore-capitol-campus/art/vinnie-ream
• “Vinnie Ream.” The Hancock Courier. Feb. 4, 1869. https://www.newspapers.com/image/665444405/?terms=%22vinnie%20ream%22%20&match=1
• “Vinnie Ream.” The Portland Daily Press. Aug. 15, 1866. https://www.newspapers.com/image/875123827/?terms=%22vinnie%20ream%22%20&match=1
• “Vinnie Ream, the Sculptress.” Times Union. May 16, 1871. https://www.newspapers.com/image/556158224/?terms=%22Vinnie%20Ream%22%20&match=1
• “Vinnie Ream’s Statue of Lincoln.” The Daily Kansas Tribune. June 11, 1869. https://www.newspapers.com/image/60526282/?terms=%22vinnie%20ream%22%20&match=1
• “Vinnie Ream: The Truth of the Romance.” Kansas City Weekly Journal. Feb. 24, 1871. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1025356568/?terms=%22Vinnie%20Ream%22%20&match=1