Emma Lazarus: The Mother of Exiles

To Bartoldi, the Statue of Liberty was a symbol of glory. But it was Emma Lazarus who changed her into the mother of exiles. 85% of all living Americans are descended from someone who once passed by the Statue of liberty in New York Harbor on their way to a new life. To them, she silently looked across just as she does these days with her lit lamp heralding the promise of an awaiting New World.