The Women’s Building in the Mission district features one of the most frequently visited murals in all of San Francisco.

I walked by there on my way to the pharmacy yesterday, another errand within the two mile radius that I am determined to walk in this city, given that I am on war footing with the parking situation. War footing? Outright war more likely…. although the mural tells me to seek peace.

The building is a community center led by women, a safe space to engage in services and advocacy for women and girls, focussing on immigrant issues as well. They offer a weekly food pantry, finger printing for family reunion, and, pre-Covid 19, also tutoring for job seekers and those trying to figure out technology and provide access to computers and internet. Wellness classes and free consultation with immigration attorneys were slated, as were counseling for domestic violence situations, health care, housing information and job training, also before the virus shut everything down.

In short, an amazing program, in a building that has been chosen as one of the sites for this celebration:

This year, as the nation marks the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote, Benjamin Moore, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation are celebrating this historic milestone with a new program focused on the preservation of sites in the U.S. where women from all walks of life have made history. We are so excited to announce The Women’s Building as one of those sites, and we’re very happy our organization is recognized as trailblazers in the role of women and their impact on U.S. history. Our colorful mural façade depicts the power and contributions of women throughout history and the world. This year-long project will enhance the grand staircase that showcases the building’s colorful mural as it makes its way from outside, into the heart of the building. 

The mural on the outside of the building is called MaestraPeace (Woman Teacher of Peace.) Juana Alicia, Miranda Bergman, Edythe Boone, Susan Kelk Cervantes, Meera Desai, Yvonne Littleton and Irene Perez painted the 5 stories high mural in 1992; it was restored to full glory in 2012. When I walked by, on an intensely sunny day, it almost felt like walking the streets of Mexico City again, the colors and motifs familiar from that hispanic context. A trip that now feels like a lifetime ago.

The mural brims with life and encouragement, a celebration of women, their skills, their roles, their courage. And no parking in sight – glad I walked!

Music today are some feminist songs from a variety of musicians.