THE OCTAVIUS V. CATTO MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
The Octavius V. Catto Memorial Foundation was formed to honor the memory of Octavius V. Catto, a prominent civil rights advocate in Philadelphia during the Civil War and post-Civil War era. Catto was an all-around American who fought tirelessly for equal rights. He was assassinated at the age of 31 on Election Day, October 10, 1871 as he fought for voting rights for African Americans. Catto was instrumental in desegregating streetcars in Philadelphia and petitioned the government to allow blacks to fight in the Union Army. The Abraham Lincoln Foundation of the Union League provided this organization’s initial funds in a $3 million capital campaign. A sculpture being commissioned to honor Catto will be the first of its kind on the grounds of City Hall. Serving as Owner’s Representative for the project, The ROZ Group leads all structural project management, RFP/RFQ processes, invitations to bid, fundraising, construction and promotional efforts for the monument.