The Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce proudly hosted the unveiling of a bronze statue honoring
Charlotte Marie Baldwin Allen, co-founder of Houston, during a special reception in the garden of the historic Julia
Ideson Building at the Houston Public Library. The tribute was held during Women’s History Month and as the Julia
Ideson Building marked its centennial, creating a powerful moment to recognize a woman whose leadership and
investment helped shape the city from its earliest days.
Charlotte Baldwin Allen is increasingly recognized as one of the most important figures in Houston’s founding. Her
inheritance was used to purchase the half league of land along Buffalo Bayou in August 1836, laying the foundation
for what would become the City of Houston. She later lived in Houston for more than half a century, built land and
enterprise, and left a legacy of vision, courage, and determination that continues to resonate across generations.
The event featured remarks from Mayor John Whitmire and Suzan Deison, Founder, President, and CEO of the
Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce. Mayor Whitmire and Deison also joined together to officially
unveil the statue. Mayor Pro Tem Martha Castex-Tatum presented a proclamation from the City of Houston
declaring March 19, 2026, as Charlotte Marie Baldwin Allen Day in Houston, Texas, honoring her enduring impact
on the founding, growth, and future of Houston.
Deison said the unveiling represents a long-overdue public recognition of a woman whose role in Houston’s origin
story deserves permanent visibility. She noted that Charlotte Baldwin Allen’s example reminds the community that
women have always been builders of cities, economies, and institutions, even when history has not always given
them equal credit. The monument, she said, is intended not only to honor the past but also to inspire future
generations of women and girls to lead with confidence and purpose.
This historic commemoration was made possible through the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce,
under the leadership of Suzan Deison, together with CREW Houston, Women of NAIOP, the ULI Women’s
Leadership Initiative, the Julia Ideson Building Board, the Houston City Council, and the Mayor of Houston. The
project reflects a shared commitment to preserving Houston’s history and elevating the stories of women whose
contributions have too often been overlooked.
By placing Charlotte Baldwin Allen’s likeness in a prominent public setting, the statue ensures that her story will be
visibly remembered and honored for generations to come. The Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce
and its partners hope the monument will encourage Houstonians to celebrate Charlotte Baldwin Allen not only as a
founder, but as a lasting symbol of leadership, foresight, and civic impact.
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