Source: Donald Gensler, 2004
Philadelphia is called The City of Murals, thanks to the thousands of murals found throughout the city streets. This living gallery is home to several street art and works that celebrate a history of culture and diversity.
Among these, you will find several murals inspired by and honoring exceptional Black Women through history. These artworks adorn the city and also tell the stories of exceptional Black women who have impacted Philadelphia.
Mamie Nichols
Source: Mural Arts
This mural was created in honor of Mamie Nichols, who made an immense impact fighting for the Point Breeze neighborhood. As a community leader, she led a life of advocacy, leadership, and organization which became immortalized in this resplendent artwork. It sits at the Mamie Nichols Community Center, paying tribute to a life of activism and leadership. Not only does she have a mural in her honor, but Mamie Nichols also has a street named after her. She continues to live on in the hearts of every member of her community.
Fun Fact: This tribute to Mamie Nichols is not the original 1998 mural. It was put up after the previous one was destroyed when new buildings were needed.
Harriet Tubman & the Underground Railroad
Source: Mural Arts
This piece was created by Sam Donovan and it paid tribute to Harriet Tubman and other abolitionists who risked their lives for freedom. It was situated across from the Historic Fair Hill Burial Ground at 2985 Germantown Avenue in North Philadelphia. This site is known as the resting place of many reformers and abolitionists.
Fun Fact: Harriet Tubman has other artworks dedicated to only her. An example is the famous mural that depicts her offering her hand to help.
It is located on the exterior wall of the Harriet Tubman Museum and Educational Center in Cambridge.
Tribute to Lt. Joyce Craig
Source: Public Art Archive
Lt. Joyce Craig, Philadelphia’s first female firefighter to die in the line of duty, is honored through a vibrant mural in Lawncrest. Nathaniel Lee captured her bravery with this artwork, portraying her in action with a hose on her shoulder and a smile on her face.
Lt. Craig tragically lost her life in 2014 while battling a house fire. Mural Arts Philadelphia and the Fire Department collaborated to honor her sacrifice and immortalize her for all time.
Honoring Marian Anderson
Source: Joshua Mays
A mural sits outside the Marian Anderson Recreation Center at 17th and Fitzwater Streets in Philadelphia. Created by Joshua Mays, the artwork celebrates Marian Anderson’s life and legacy.
Marian Anderson was a renowned contralto singer with an amazing voice and an undying love for the Black community. She was also a civil rights figure who fought against racial discrimination towards African Americans.
Despite her global fame, Anderson was prevented from performing at Constitution Hall in 1939 because of her race. However, this didn’t deter the show from going on because she delivered a splendid performance at Lincoln Memorial instead.
The mural exists not only as a tribute but also to remember this powerful woman.
Murals like these and others don’t exist only to beautify spaces. Rather, they celebrate and honor the sacrifice, bravery, and service of exceptional people. Each artwork has amazing stories to tell and these tales will be preserved for all time.
