James King. Fortitude Sculpture. Valley Mall, Howard UNIVERSITY, April 28, 1979. Corten Steel 12 ft. 6 in.
"Courage, in pain or adversity."
This is the definition of the word fortitude, a word that Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated holds dear to heart. The meaning of Fortitude is used to inspire African American women to move forcefully towards the challenges in life.
The sculpture symbolizes the strength, courage, faith, wisdom and elegance portrayed by the founders of the sorority. These attributes are continued through the lives of sorority members today.
Lady Fortitude is sculpted from corten steel. Built with the illusion that she is pushing forward, the tension of her thighs depicts a woman's strength. Her outreached hand is accepting love and her return of that love to others. The sculpture's face is created to depict confidence and determination of a woman. The different color browns within the steel represents the various pigmentations of African American women.