When Women Pursue Justice

In October 2005, Artmakers Inc. completed its 3,300 square foot mural When Women Pursue Justice. When Women Pursue Justice celebrates 90 women who led or participated in movements for social change in the United States over the past 150 years. Native and foreign-born, Native American, and women of color, these women often risked life and liberty to achieve voting rights, civil rights and racial justice, health and reproductive rights, gay rights, immigrant rights, environmental justice and protection, and workplace/arts access and equality. Today, many of them are unknown to most Americans, their struggles never properly recognized or faded from memory. When Women Pursue Justice is Artmakers' effort to restore them to their proper place in history. The mural is located at 498 Greene Avenue in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, NY, the birthplace and district of Shirley Chisholm, the late congresswoman and presidential candidate. The mural is dedicated to this outspoken and dynamic leader who stated, "I want to be remembered as a catalyst for change in the 20th century." Thirteen additional movement leaders are honored in the mural. They are: Angela Davis, Dorothy Day, Betty Friedan/Gloria Steinem, the Guerrilla Girls, Fannie Lou Hamer, Dolores Huerta, Emma Goldman, Clara Lemlich, Audre Lorde, Wilma Mankiller, Alice Paul and Margaret Sanger. The mural also celebrates 67 movement activists as well as nine 19th century ancestors: Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Blackwell, Mother Jones, Lucretia Mott, Lucy Gonzalez Parsons, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, and Victoria Woodhull, whose pioneering work paved the way for 20th century activism. More than a historical commemoration of past achievements, When Women Pursue Justice reflects current issues and concerns as well as ongoing efforts of today's activist women. Artmakers hopes When Women Pursue Justice will inspire all women and men to work for justice, equality and peace throughout the 21st century.