MaestraPeace Mural

What to know

The MaestraPeace mural is one of San Francisco's largest and most visible public artworks, standing five stories tall as a visual testament to the courageous contributions of women through time and around the world. Painted in 1994 by a collective of seven Bay Area muralists—including Juana Alicia, Miranda Bergman, Edythe Boone, Susan Kelk Cervantes, Meera Desai, Yvonne Littleton, and Irene Perez—the work serves as a tribute to both famous and unsung women. Located on the exterior of the Women's Building, the artwork was developed in stages. The exterior facades were completed between 1993 and 1994, while later additions to the 18th Street entrance, interior lobby, and stairwell were added in 2010, followed by a complete restoration in 2012. This massive scale allows the mural to act as a magnet for thousands of visitors from all over the world each year. The structure housing the mural has a rich history of its own. Originally known as Mission Turn Hall from 1910 to 1935, it later became Dovre Hall before being renamed the Women's Building in 1978. The building is home to the San Francisco Women's Center, which is described as a community anchor providing social, financial, and emotional services to women and girls of all backgrounds. Born during the feminist movement of the 1970s, the center was America's first women-owned and operated community center. The mural's name, MaestraPeace, meaning 'Woman teacher of peace,' reflects the same spirit of social justice and gender equality that the center continues to advocate for today. The artwork is now recognized as a historic treasure on a National Heritage Building, javaid in women's, ethnic, and cultural studies.

Visitor tips

• Allow time to examine the detailed figures of both famous and unsung women depicted in the mural.
• Check the Women's Building website for current programs and offerings if you wish to enter the building.
• Wear comfortable walking shoes as this is a primary stop on many Mission District mural tours.
• Visit during the morning or afternoon to get the best lighting for photography of the five-story facade.

Nearby context

The MaestraPeace mural is the jewel of the Mission District, serving as a community anchor in a neighborhood known for its vibrant public art and social activism. It stands as a landmark of feminist history in a heart of the city's Latino own community.