In honor of the 2025 Women's History Month theme, "Moving Forward Together! Women Educating and Inspiring Generations," join us in discovering more about the women featured in our social justice mural. Enter the contest by identifying the women in the photos for a chance to win a prize.
Laura Spelman Rockefeller Hall is the home of the Social Justice Program Living and Learning Community. The mural was developed to depict the history of the Laura Spelman Rockefeller Residence Hall and pay homage to the many black women who have "made a choice to change the world." The Residence Hall is named after Laura Spelman Rockefeller (September 9, 1839 – March 12, 1915), the wife of John D. Rockefeller, who gave the first significant philanthropic gift to Spelman College. Laura Spelman Rockefeller is featured on the mural in recognition of the building being named for her. Additionally, it is important to note that Spelman College is named for Laura Spelman Rockefeller.
Dr. Cynthia Neal Spence, Founding Director of the Spelman College Social Justice Program, wanted the residential space to represent the work of black women who have dedicated their lives and their work to social justice advocacy. It was clear to Dr. Spence that this Residence Hall should be a monument to what it means to be committed to "making a choice to change the world." She believed the Spelman tagline needed to be activated to represent more than a "song." What began as an idea in a meeting with the interior designers became the creation of a mural. Dr. Spence worked with the late Spelman College Archivist, Taronda Spencer '80, and the Social Justice Program Assistant, Angela Boudreaux '09, to identify scenes from Spelman and photos of black women social justice advocates and scholar-activists.
Below, you can view larger images of the mural.
