New York City School Unveils Suffrage Mural

A massive new artwork at P.S. 134 honors 16 women who led the fight for the right to vote.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Civic Engagement

Bold vector editorial illustration of a vibrant abstract mural on a brick wall, honoring historical female figures. — New York City's P.S. 134 school unveiled a new 37-foot by 83-foot suffrage mural honoring 16 female leaders, the first in a citywide art project. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Monumenta unveiled a new 37-foot by 83-foot mural celebrating women's suffrage at the P.S. 134 Henrietta Szold School on the Lower East Side. Designed by artist Sam Kirk, the piece portrays 16 prominent suffragettes and female leaders.

Why it matters

The installation seeks to address a significant lack of representation, as less than 5% of public art currently depicts women or women-centered historical events. This initiative was inspired by the musical Suffs and marks the beginning of a multi-city project.

The mural measures 37 feet by 83 feet and features 16 historical female figures. Less than 5% of public art currently depicts women, a statistic this project aims to begin rectifying.

The players

Sam Kirk

She is the designer and lead painter of the new suffrage mural located at the P.S. 134 Henrietta Szold School.

Monumenta

This organization is responsible for the mural initiative and plans to expand the project to multiple cities across the United States.

The details

The artwork was painted by Sam Kirk alongside a team of six female artists on a previously blank brick exterior wall. To ensure accessibility and education, the mural includes a key and a QR code that provides detailed information about each figure depicted.

June 4, 1919: Congress passed the 19th Amendment.
August 18, 1920: Three-quarters of state legislatures ratified the 19th Amendment.
October 25, 2026: The mural was dedicated.

Political Context

The project centers on the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which officially granted women the right to vote in 1920. Opponents of such public commemorative projects often argue that local funding or school space should be prioritized for curriculum-based resources rather than artistic installations.

Residents of the Lower East Side can visit the P.S. 134 Henrietta Szold School to view the new mural and use the provided QR code for educational information. The installation adds a permanent visual landmark to the neighborhood while highlighting a core chapter of American political history.

The takeaway

Public art can serve as a vital tool for correcting historical blind spots by elevating underrepresented narratives in shared spaces. Local communities can support this trend by advocating for the inclusion of historical figures in new municipal and educational art projects.