Mural at the YWCA of San Gabriel Valley
The mural at the YWCA of San Gabriel Valley is located in the heart of
the Program Center. Measuring 10’ by 20’, it dominates the
room not only with its size, but with color and meaning.
The mural was a donation from the California State University, Long Beach
Women’s Center. When the Women’s Center changed locations,
the mural’s size proved to be problematic. A suitable home needed
to be found in a short period of time. A volunteer suggested donating
the mural to one of the local YWCA chapters. San Gabriel Valley was tapped
as the recipient because the Program Center’s main activity room
had a high ceiling and wide wall that could easily accommodate its large
dimensions.
Depicting the wide range of roles women play in a broad cultural diaspora,
the mural attracts viewers young and old who are drawn to its dynamic
colors, expressions, and faces. From the moment it arrived, it received
a wide range of comments, both positive and negative.
Ann Dougherty, former Chief Executive Officer of the YWCA of San Gabriel
Valley, said the arrival of the mural made people rethink their own definitions
of what it meant to be a woman.
“There were a few people who said that the women in the mural looked
too masculine, too harsh, or too angular,” she said. “But
I loved it. It showed how women emerge into life in different ways. It
covered everything.”
As time passed, the mural became a powerful symbol of the YWCA’s
mission statement: to empower women and girls and to work toward eliminating
racism, sexism, poverty, and violence.
“It depicts a wide range of vocations, activities, and ethnicities
and it’s full of movement. It’s a unique expression of women
in active roles. And that’s what we represent,” said Evelyn Brown, the YWCA of San Gabriel Valley’s CEO.
It was this unique representation that prompted the YWCA to use the mural
as a focal point for the new website, newsletter, and annual report designs.
“It’s an amazing asset,” said Scott
Gruber (Scott is the designer of our website and took the photos used
throughout the site. “Graphically speaking, it’s probably
the best material you have to represent who you are. It’s just visually
stunning. Really, a great piece of art.”
Staff members at the Women’s Center still recall the mural with
affection. A recent phone call about the website launch and the use of
the mural in its design elicited some excitement.
“I’ll be sure to tell the Director. How exciting!”
said the Women’s Center receptionist.
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