On September 4, YWCA Greater Atlanta hosted a powerful evening of reflection and celebration at its North Highland Avenue headquarters, unveiling Legacy in Full Color—a new mural honoring more than a century of women who have shaped both the association’s history and Atlanta’s civic life. Created by Atlanta muralist Lacey Longino, the artwork is a vivid timeline of YWCA Greater Atlanta’s story.
The event brought together Academy of Women Achievers members, community partners, business leaders, and supporters to witness a striking visual tribute to the organization’s 123-year history of service, advocacy, and empowerment. LifeLink Foundation and Viarae Prosecco sponsored the event.
Honoring the Past, Preparing for the Future
Welcoming guests, YWCA Greater Atlanta President and CEO Danita V. Knight set the tone by grounding the evening in history and hope:
“YWCA is 123 years old here in Atlanta, and the only YWCA in the state of Georgia. At times, we had a boarding house, the first integrated cafeteria in the city, and even an emergency shelter. At one point, we had seven facilities across the metro area. Today, we are rebuilding that footprint—with construction underway to bring back our second location, the historic Phillis Wheatley Westside YWCA, next year.”
A Story Told in Color and Texture
When the curtain dropped, guests viewed Longino’s detailed, mixed-media composition. Longino explained that the piece took shape after more than a year of archival research at Emory University, Spelman College, and other repositories.
“This mural is a story from then until now of YWCA Greater Atlanta,” Longino said. “It begins with Giles Hall at Spelman College, where one of the early Black YWCA associations was founded. It honors Phillis Wheatley, the nation’s first Black poet, as well as a woman from the archives whose poise and confidence we couldn’t ignore. It includes Rosalynn Carter, Coretta Scott King, and leaders like Ingrid Saunders Jones, Misty Fernandez, and Sarah Irvin—women who carry the work forward today.”
The mural layers portraits of historic and contemporary leaders with symbolic imagery: children at camp representing “community and joy,” a woman and child evoking “care,” a table set (lace tablecloth, candlesticks, and grapes) to acknowledge tea parties that built community and uplifted women, the Georgia State Capitol—a nod to YWCA Greater Atlanta’s advocacy through the Georgia Women’s Policy Institute, and a rendering of the future Phillis Wheatley Westside YWCA with geese flying above, symbolizing “moving forward together.”
“Scattered throughout are stars,” Longino shared. “They’re inspired by YWCA Greater Atlanta’s annual Salute to Women of Achievement event, where inductees are flanked by current Academy members and walk through an archway of stars. To me, they’re about celebration and the brightness this community brings. This mural doesn’t just carry history, it shines light into the future.”
A History of Firsts
Beloved civic leader Ann Cramer, a member of YWCA Greater Atlanta’s first Academy of Women Achievers class, added historical context from the organization’s archives:
“The first YWCA association in Atlanta was founded in a living room. By 1904, the group had a gymnasium and boarding home. In 1919, the Phillis Wheatley Branch was established, and in 1960, YWCA Atlanta’s cafeteria became the city’s first integrated public dining facility. This history reminds us that YWCA has always been on the front lines of equality.”
Cramer pointed out that the faces in the mural— including Coretta Scott King, Rosalynn Carter, and Ann Stallard—are Academy of Women Achievers members who represent the continuum of leadership spanning generations.
“The women in this mural, named and unnamed, represent our past, present, and future,” Cramer said. “They embody the legacy of YWCA Greater Atlanta: that we are for women, by women, and that we will continue to thrive, here at North Highland, at the Phillis Wheatley Westside YWCA, and beyond.”
Looking Ahead
YWCA Greater Atlanta Board Chair Jennifer Winn closed the program by connecting the mural to the organization’s future:
“Earlier this year, thanks to the support of amazing, powerhouse women, a campaign co-chaired by Sarah Irvin and Ingrid Saunders Jones, resulted in the completion of a $19.5 million campaign to revitalize the Phillis Wheatley Westside YWCA. When this building reopens in 2026, it will be a compassionate center for women, girls, and families—a space for programs, resources, and opportunities for new careers and jobs.”
A Living Legacy
As the evening ended, the mural stood as both art and promise. It became clear that Legacy in Full Color is more than a work of art. It is a call to action. Every portrait, symbol, and brushstroke reflects YWCA Greater Atlanta’s enduring mission: to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.
For Knight, it captures the heart of YWCA Greater Atlanta’s work:
“At a time when we are grappling with inequities of race and gender, our work is as urgent as it has ever been. This mural is a reminder that our legacy is not finished—it is still being written, every day, by the women and girls we serve.”
The women honored in the mural were, and are visionaries who push boundaries.Today, YWCA Greater Atlanta continues that work through direct services, advocacy, and leadership development—from digital skills training and early learning programs to health access initiatives and statewide policy change. Legacy in Full Color will remain a daily reminder that history and future are inseparably linked, and that every woman and girl has a seat at our table.
