Distinctly Montana Magazine

The "old woman" was newly completed and the Women's Commemorative Mural under construction when this photo was taken in 1979. Many Helena women added their brush strokes to the mural. Photo courtesy of Anne Appleby. Fannie Sperry Steele on Napoleon, the school teacher with her bell, and suffragists represent some of the women who have made a difference during Helena's emergence as the Capital City. The young girl, growing up in the Prickly Pear Valley, lives in the old woman's memory. Photo taken in 1979, courtesy of Anne Appleby. By Ellen Baumler Ellen Baumler is the interpretive historian at the Montana Historical Society in Helena. FA L L | 2 013 26 A Women's Icon: As Helena's charming downtown meanders along a slightly crooked path, history speaks at every turn. Among its historical treasures and prominent features is a colorful mural painted on the side of the Livestock Building, where Broadway crosses Last Chance Gulch. The Women's Commemorative Mural, at the south gateway to the North Walking Mall, is a community landmark. The story of its creation is a tribute not only to pioneer resilience and those who came before us, but to the vision of contemporary women. Along with most communities across the nation in the 1970s, Helena underwent extensive urban renewal. Some 235 buildings were razed and traffic discontinued along Last Chance Gulch—the main thoroughfare. Officials created the North and South Walking Malls, dividing the two halves of downtown. On the heels of this monumental change, women of the Helena D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA N A Gal community planned their contribution. In 1975, women founded the Helena Women's Center to address and act upon issues concerning women. This group conceived the idea of a women's cultural enrichment mural as a way to forge links between older and newer Helena residents, between artists and patrons of the arts, and among diverse age, income, and ethnic groups. The mural covers 3,000 square feet and took eight months to plan, fundraise, and research. All women were invited to help. Although many contributed to the Women's Commemorative Mural, its intricate interpretation has been largely forgotten. The design and painting offered life-changing experiences for those involved, and the subject matter continued to evolve throughout the process. The mural is, in many ways, symbolic of the coming together of the community, of fellowship, and of women's significant contributions.

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