Ava DuVernay, Williams Sisters Celebrated At National Portrait Gallery

By Brandee Sanders, NewsOne

The walls of the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. are lined with vibrant pieces of art that depict influential individuals who have shaped American history and culture. Among the institution’s 2022 portrait inductees was a collective of trailblazing Black women who have used their innovation, creativity, and boldness to advance their respective industries, People reported.

This year’s 2022 Portrait of a Nation honorees included visionary Ava DuVernay, civil and children’s rights activist Marian Wright Edelman, and powerhouse athletes Serena and Venus Williams. They gathered at the Smithsonian institution on Saturday to celebrate their addition to the art collection, and receive their awards during the induction ceremony.

Upon being bestowed with the Portrait of a Nation Award, Serena spoke about the importance of representation and how the artist behind her portrait wanted the image to visually embody the spirit of Black joy. “I think it’s so important for the National Portrait Gallery to see a Black woman smiling,” she shared in a statement, according to the news outlet. “Black women are often seen as serious, and we are, but we are happy as well. We are the mothers. We are wives. And we are the backbone of this country.”

DuVernay shared that she hopes those who view the images are fueled with inspiration. “All of these images animate our imagination and our reality, and our greatest hope should be that they ignite new ideas of who counts and who belongs,” she shared.

NewsOne lists other honorees.

Serena Williams made headlines earlier this year when she retired.

Don’t forget to stop by ABHM’s breaking news section.