One of San Francisco's Largest & Best-Known Murals

Maestrapeace Mural

Meaning “Woman teacher of peace”, Maestrapeace Mural stands five stories tall and is the jewel of San Francisco’s Mission District.

History of the Mural
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A Closer Look
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Support Our Mural
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A Monument to Women’s Wisdom, Painted in Every Color

History of the Mural

MaestraPeace Mural was painted in 1994 by a “Who's Who” of Bay Area muralists: Juana Alicia, Miranda Bergman, Edythe Boone, Susan Kelk Cervantes, Meera Desai, Yvonne Littleton and Irene Perez.

One of San Francisco’s largest and best known murals, MaestraPeace serves as a visual testament to the courageous contributions of women through time and around the world.

Every day, the mural attracts the awe and cameras of tourists from around the world. It is seen by them and the San Francisco Bay Area community as a work of artistic achievement and a symbol of the contributions of women throughout history and the world.

MaestraPeace Mural is highlighted in the book “Street Art San Francisco: Mission Muralismo” and is recommended as a “must see” in countless travel books and websites.

The mural was fully cleaned and restored in 2012 by the original muralists with the assistance of a new generation of muralistas.

1993

Began the mural drawings

2000

Mural is completed

Ceiling mural showing a radiant mandala surrounded by plants, stars, and golden hands holding seeds, symbolizing growth and energy.

2010

Addition to 18th Street entrance, interior lobby, and stairwell

2012

Complete restoration of mural

Panoramic view of The Women's Building mural, covering the entire facade with colorful, powerful imagery of women and community empowerment.

Today

The MaestraPeace Mural continues to inspire, educate, and unite.

MaestraPeace Mural:
A Closer Look

Explore the powerful symbols, stories, and figures within the iconic MaestraPeace Mural. Each image in this gallery reveals the women, deities, and cultural icons who bring our building’s walls to life—honoring global struggles, resilience, and liberation.

Full MaestraPeace Mural from the corner of 18th Street and Lapidge Street.
18th Street view. Photo by Anthony Byrd
Part of the Lapidge Street façade
Lapidge Street façade - At the top is Rigoberta Menchu who won the 1992 Nobel Peace Prize for her social justice work on behalf of the indigenous peoples of Guatemala.
Restoration work in 2012. Lapidge St. side.
Coyolxauhqui – Aztec Goddess of the Moon. According to legend Coyolxauhqui was dismembered and enclosed in stone for trying to prevent the birth of her brother, the god of War. In the mural she is depicted as a whole goddess, breaking free from her captivity in stone.
Larger view of Coyolxauhqui, Aztec Goddess of the Moon, rising from Rigoberta Menchu's hand.
Guanyin – East Asian Goddess of Mercy and Compassion She brings souls to the newborns and rain to the earth. She protects women, and grants children to those who want them. She is a deity of the wild places.
Yemayah – A powerful Yoruba Orisha, or goddess. Long ago in Africa, she was the symbol of rivers and sweet waters, fertility and life, the mother of all life forms. She wore clear beads, and was a symbol of transformation. During the Middle Passage, she became the mother of the oceans and salt water, and acquired blue beads.
Larger view of Yemayah rising from Rigoberta Menchu's hand.
Spirit - Image of Audre Lorde writing “future generations” on the colored bands of names.
Painter from Mithila, India - The craft is passed on from woman to woman over thousands of years. The paintings are a spiritual meditation and the product may be painted over or used to wrap something up.
Lolita Lebron – Puerto Rican revolutionary, who spent 23 years in prison for fighting for the independence of her country. Her actions and words sought international support for the decolonization of Puerto Rico, to this day still a colony of the U.S.
Quetzal - This beautifully colored jungle bird cannot survive in captivity. It symbolizes freedom and flies free from Lolita Lebron’s hand.
Women Political Prisoners - These portraits of actual prisoners are examples of women jailed world-wide for their political beliefs and actions.
Hanan Ashrawi – Palestinian legislator, activist and scholar, chief spokesperson for the Palestinian Delegation to the Middle East peace process. Her ability to calmly, strongly and articulately assert her nation’s position won her admiration and gained recognition for the Palestinian cause.
Linked hands of Audre Lorde, renowned poet, author and lesbian activist, and Lillian Ngoya, leader of the resistance movement in South Africa.
Olga Stornaouldo - This local sculptor is dancing with a descendant of the Yi people of Southwest China. The Yi people fostered a tremendous revolutionary commune movement. Their relative in the mural carries on the activist tradition with her ACT-UP t-shirt.
Gabon (Lumbu) Ancestor Mask This African mask indicates the seen and unseen world, including the presence of ancestors in objects. The mask is placed in the center of a map of the continent of Africa.
Maguey cactus - a symbol of renewal and life.
Seven flowers with skull - inspired by the paintings of Georgia O’Keefe. Each of the seven core artists picked one flower to paint, as a bouquet signature.
Lesbian couple - Their open affection represents the millions of lesbian and gay people, and their movement for human rights.
A woman is receiving the healing touch of Maria Sabina, a Mexican curandera (healer) known for working with native plants and herbs.
Keep the Legacy Alive—Support the Mural That Supports Us All

Support Our Mural

The Maestrapeace Mural is more than a masterpiece, it’s a symbol of strength, culture, and community. Your support helps preserve its beauty and the powerful stories it holds for future generations.

Keep the Mural Vibrant
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History, Art, and Legacy

Celebrating 25 Years!

An instant collectors item, this beautiful book tells the story of Maestrapeace Mural’s creation and its seven tenacious creators. The book begins with an essay by acclaimed activist Angela Davis and is full of lush photos detailing every aspect of its creation and its magnificent images.

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Meet the Visionaries Behind the Wall

Who are the muralists?

Maestrapeace was created by seven muralists, artist and calligrapher Olivia Quevedo and almost 100 volunteers. Learn more about them at Maestrapeace Art Works.

Visit the Mural Website
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The Mural in Your Hands

Take a piece of the Mural with you

Come inside to buy your favorite item from our Receptionist. Can’t drop by? Just contact us to arrange for your merchandise purchase. Email: tatiana@womensbuilding.org, or call (415) 431-1180.

Support Our Mission
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