Artwork > Community Mural Projects > Youth Projects > Afterschool Programs

Still We Rise, 2006
Roxbury Youthworks - Female Focus Initiative

Roxbury Youthworks' Female Focus Initiative is Boston's only female adolescent re-entry program; a program dedicated to supporting DYS and DSS involved adolescents as they transition back into the community from lock-up. This mural entitled "Still We Rise," was designed and painted by the girls themselves, and inspired by Maya Angelou's poem, "Still I Rise." The mural has been installed outside the building on Blue Hill Ave to be enjoyed by all those who walk or drive by and features a woman rising from slumber with her hair as different natural elements that “rise” including the water, the moon, the run, and the earth. It represents the strength, resilience and hope of women.

Artist Statement

This mural is about women rising up and becoming great leaders. It is also about metamorphosis, change, bringing your spirits up, life, and empowerment. We created the mural by brainstorming, drawing, painting, and making it up together. It started with words that we put into something pretty and positive. Hopefully the mural will catch people’s eyes, and they will look at it and realize you can be a strong woman throughout the day.

 The most enjoyable parts of this experience were painting, laughing, and having a good time. We learned about painting and colors and having good times with friends. Some girls decided to be involved in this project because they wanted to do something constructive with their time. Some gained friendships, some enjoyed concentrating on the painting, and many wished we had more panels so we could paint more and longer.

Quotes from participants:

"We created this mural by taking our words and putting it into something pretty and positive."
—Teen painter/participant

"This mural inspires me because it makes me happy when I look at it...it is about metamorphosis, change, and bringing your spirits up."
—Teen painter/participant

"I decided to be involved in this project because I wanted to do something constructive with my spare time."
—Teen painter/participant