Journey to Freedom: Women of the Civil Rights

Two murals on Freedom Park commemorate the voices of the women of the civil rights movement, highlighting the female’s past and present contribution. Original photographs by Dr. Doris A. Derby, Shelia Turner, and Susan Ross are combined in a quilt-style design artwork created by the artist Lynn Marshall Linnemeier, who had to use a special technique to install the photographs so they will not deteriorate over time.
 
Each of the murals revolves around a theme. One, around the themes of kindness, love, and respect; the other focuses on civil rights such as voting rights and religious freedom. Among the women who are displayed on the murals are Dorothy Height, Nikki Giovanni, Jean Childs Young, Kathleen Cleaver, Constance Curry, and more.
 
“Journey to Freedom” was dedicated on February 25th, 2017, in a special ceremony with the participation of the civil rights activists Doris Derby, Kathleen Cleaver, and Constance Curry.
 
Freedom Park is a linear green park, one of the largest in Atlanta. It is also an Art Park, showcasing permanent and rotating exhibits. Another installation honoring women in the park is “One Woman Rising.” Two other artworks that are #MadeByWomen are – “The New Endings,” honoring Andrew Young by Diane Solomon Kempler, and “Tree of Life” by Yvonne Domenge.