San Francisco unveiled a new monument Thursday at the city’s main public library in tribute to renowned writer, poet, and civil rights activist Maya Angelou.
Created by artist Lava Thomas, Portrait of a Phenomenal Woman stands as the first public monument in the city dedicated to a Black woman, marking a significant moment for representation in public art.
The monument, shaped like an open book, features a portrait of Maya Angelou, along with one of her most celebrated quotes, “Still I Rise,” taken from her iconic 1978 poem.
The artwork pays homage not only to Angelou’s literary brilliance but also to her indomitable spirit and advocacy for racial and gender equality.
Angelou’s deep connection to San Francisco is also reflected in the monument. She attended George Washington High School and was the city’s first Black streetcar conductor, making her a local and national symbol of resilience and empowerment.
This unveiling comes in response to a 2018 ordinance requiring at least 30% of San Francisco’s public art projects to honor real women.
Before the installation of this monument, only two publicly owned statues in the city depicted real women—former mayor and U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein and Florence Nightingale. In stark contrast, San Francisco owned 62 statues of real men.
The Maya Angelou monument serves as a powerful reminder of the city’s ongoing efforts to rectify the lack of representation of women in public spaces, while celebrating the life and legacy of one of America’s most extraordinary voices.
