MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WKRN) — As you’re driving or walking through the heart of Murfreesboro, there’s a mural meant to make us reflect and think about the future.
In 2020, around the 100 year anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote — about two dozen organizations came together to honor and celebrate the Leading Ladies of Rutherford County. This mural, is one part of that celebration, led primarily by the Rutherford Arts Alliance. It is located at 130 South Maple Street.
“These women at a time that they didn’t, society didn’t dictate for them to be strong women, and they were strong women,” explained mural artist Ginny Togrye.
Twelve profiles are painted with clues to who the women are and a link leads you to a website where you’ll find their identities and stories. They’re suffragists, writers, teachers, activists, mothers, artists and business women.
“I hope that they draw on these women’s stories to have strength for the future and to just know that they can accomplish just about anything because many of these women were born in circumstances where they faced numerous challenges,” explained Antoinette van Zelm, Asst. Director of the Center for Historic Preservation, MTSU.
There’s also an empty spot for you! A blank profile meant to inspire the next class of leading ladies who see this mural.
“We don’t know what stories are being written. We know what stories have been written, but which stories are coming forward. If you see the one that says ‘you’ on the bottom, that means, who’s the leading lady, it could be you,” said Susan Gulley, Treasurer with Rutherford Arts Alliance.
And there’s even more to this project than meets the eye, the Rutherford Arts Alliance is hosting a play to highlight 12 influential Rutherford County women. Click here to learn more.
There is also a self-guided walking tour of Rutherford County, “In the footsteps of notable women.”
