The Alice Drum Women’s Center (ADWC) at Franklin & Marshall has served as a welcoming space to students since 1992, but something was missing.

“Our space blended in with the surrounding wall and there wasn't much to make the Center stand out,” said Diosanny Rivera-Placido, director of the Women's, Gender, and Sexualities Resource Center.

The ADWC executive board wanted the Center’s facade to be shaped by Diplomat voices. They put out a call for student mural submissions, selecting a digital illustration by Hope Clarke ’27.

“I wanted this to be something that people would look at and instantly know that it’s the Women's Center,” said Hope Clarke '27, student artist. (Photo by Deb Grove)

The final result – officially unveiled on Feb. 12 – is a vibrant mural celebrating pioneering women: Tarana Burke, Angela Davis, Gloria Steinem, Malala Yousafzai, and the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Simone de Beauvoir, Frida Kahlo, and Yuri Kochiyama. 

“I wanted this to be something that people would look at and instantly know that it’s the Women's Center,” said Clarke, who has previously created art for F&M’s Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA). 

Clarke spent 15 to 20 hours perfecting the design. Pride Painting, a LGBTQ+ owned company in Lancaster, brought Clarke’s vision to life. The work was paid for through generous alumni donations. 

“By highlighting powerful and inspiring women, we get to draw attention to their stories and initiate conversations regarding not only their legacies, but also the legacies of women everywhere,” Rivera-Placido said. “Public art invigorates the space and allows for people to better appreciate their surroundings.”

Below, learn more about Clarke’s design inspiration.

Pride Painting company brought Hope Clarke’s mural design to life. The paint work was paid for through generous alumni donations. (Photo by Deb Grove)

Hope Clarke ’27

• Hometown: Hampstead, Md. 
• Major: Animal behavior
• Minors: French, theatre

What inspired you to create this mural design?

Alice Drum is such an important space on campus. We have such a tight knit community here, both on the board and people who come to our events. It has always been a safe space. 

Did you channel a particular artistic style? 

I wanted to give it a street art vibe, because street art is symbolic of standing up against systems of power. I like pop art, which is why I wanted to do the color blocking to keep it bold and simple. I didn't want to go too symbolic with any of it, because I think it's important for it to be recognizable.

Do you have a favorite individual depicted on this mural? 

Angela Davis. She was a big pioneer in the queer space, especially being queer and Black. She has a lot of courage. But I'm also a big art person, so Frida Kahlo. She went through so much. 

“By highlighting powerful and inspiring women, we get to draw attention to their stories and initiate conversations regarding not only their legacies, but also the legacies of women everywhere.”

Diosanny Rivera-Placido

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