This piece was created in collaboration with American Spaces. American Spaces—comprising over 600 libraries, cultural centers, and hubs in 150 countries—are actively engaged in celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States on July 4, 2026, a milestone often referred to as #Freedom250 or America250. These spaces serve as global platforms for showcasing American history, culture, and values, with a particular focus on themes of freedom, innovation, and democracy.
I utilized their guidelines in creating an ad campaign directed with giving information about American hero Maria Tallchief was of the Osage nation , a native American tribe that from 1890 to today is of great importance and prestige in the native American community. Finding oil in 1890 they rose in wealth and prosperity. Maria's father, Alexander Joseph Tall Chief, was a full-blooded Osage Indian and her mother Ruth Porter Tall Chief was of Scots-Irish descent. and Maria was given every advantage and she was made to take piano and ballet lessons by her mother Ruth Tall Chief. Determined to see her daughters become musical film stars, she took the girls to California. Eventually Maria came to spell her last name as one word. Though with a life of privilege Maria faced stereotypes and harassment from her peers and teachers. She went on to be the first first major prima ballerina from the United States. Maria strove for perfection in her craft; she devoted everything she had towards her goal of becoming a prima ballerina and can be quoted as saying "If anything at all, perfection is not when there is nothing to add, but when there is nothing left to take away." She turned that talent and ability into a way to teach others. Becoming one of the artistic directors of the Chicago Lyric Opera Ballet in 1975; and then Maria became the founder and artistic director of the Chicago City Ballet from 1981 to 1987. She died in 2013 due to complications of a broken hip and is survived by her daughter Elise Paschen who has become famous in her own right as a poet and writer. Maria was an awe inspiring woman who devoted her life to make a difference in the world, she opened up barriers and helped change the world of dance to become what it is today. Maria will always be remembered as her prized role of the firebird as new dancers take flight in her honor.
