Building Evolution: A 45-Year Journey of Transformative Change

March 31, 1979

In the spirit of Second-wave feminism, a coalition of women's groups established SFWC to support and catalyze a broad range of women's rights initiatives. A pivotal moment occurred in 1975 when SFWC organized a pioneering conference on violence against women. Faced with the sudden withdrawal of sponsorship by San Francisco State University due to debates over inclusivity, the scramble for a venue underscored the need for a dedicated space. This led to the purchase of the iconic, mural-covered building at 3548 18th Street in 1978.

In 1994, the mural “Maestrapeace” was painted on both facades of the San Francisco Women’s Building. The mural commemorated the paying off of the mortgage, which took fifteen years. The north and east façades of The Women’s Building are covered by a mural titled Maestrapeace. The painting was completed in 1994 by a group of prominent Bay Area muralists comprised of Juana Alicia, Miranda Bergman, Edythe Boone, Susan Kelk Cervantes, Meera Desai, Yvonne Littleton, and Irene Perez. Maestrapeace illustrates the contributions of women across time and around the globe and is notable for its size and richly vibrant color. Four two-story heads representing mythic female ancestors of Native American and African origin (north façade) and Asian and European origin (east façade) frame the building, gazing at each other from the southwest, northwest, and northeast corners. The shaped parapets atop the north and east walls hold additional over-scale figures, the north side features a pregnant goddess, and the east side holds a portrait of 1993 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Rigoberta Menchu.

In 2010, addition to the 18th Street Entrance and Interior Lobby and Stairwell

In 2012, the iconic MaestraPeace mural on San Francisco’s Mission District Women’s Building received a much-needed restoration. The original artists, returning after nearly two decades, were tasked with revitalizing this treasured artwork. Depicting the historical contributions of women worldwide, the MaestraPeace mural has been a landmark since its creation in 1994.

This restoration project was made possible by grant funding from the City and County of San Francisco and the local non-profit SF Beautiful. Their support ensures that the MaestraPeace mural will continue to inspire future generations as a testament to women’s achievements.

The retrofit of our building was completed in 2000, funded by fundraising and a loan from the city at 5% interest. Remarkably, we paid off the loan five years early and established a Building Reserve to save money for the building’s future needs. Later, we created a Capital Replacement Chart to guide us on how much we need to save to maintain our building.

The TWB lobby revamp aimed for a welcoming and functional hub. Staff now greet visitors, answer questions, and keep the space sparkling. Tenants receive support with rentals, equipment, and in-house organizations. Departments benefit from streamlined reception, mail sorting, and event assistance. Fingerprint services are efficient, and safety is paramount with access control and conflict resolution. This transformed lobby is the heart of TWB’s mission, beating with efficiency and care.

Benjamin Moore and the National Trust teamed up to repaint the building’s stairwell as part of the National Trust’s campaign for Where Women Made History. Now, the space is filled with vibrant colors that create a welcoming environment–and there’s a practical purpose, as well. Given that not all community members who seek out services at The Women’s Building speak English, the new paint can help people find their way around the building since each floor is painted a different color.