Philadelphia Unveils Tribute to Abolitionist Poet Frances Ellen Watkins Harper on 200th Birthday
A new public art piece was unveiled at the Greene Street Friends School in Germantown this week, commemorating the 200th birthday of poet and abolitionist Frances Ellen Watkins Harper. The mural, titled "Frances E. W. Harper: We Are All Bound Up Together," is the result of a collaboration between Mural Arts Philadelphia, Penn State University's Center for Black Digital Research, and local residents.
The large-scale artwork depicts Harper alongside fellow abolitionists Harriet Forten Purvis and Nannie Helen Burroughs, highlighting their contributions to the fight against slavery. The mural also features references to some of Harper's most well-known poems and serves as a testament to her enduring legacy as a writer and activist.
Harper, who was born in 1825, moved to Philadelphia at age 28 to become more active in the Underground Railroad. She went on to publish renowned books of poetry, advocate for abolitionist and suffragist organizations, and co-founded the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs.
According to Gabrielle Foreman, MacArthur fellow and founding co-director of the Center for Black Digital Research, Harper was a trailblazer in many ways. "She was the first Black woman to publish a short story," Foreman said. "Her legacy calls our students to be seekers of justice, stewards of integrity, and voice for equity."
The mural is part of Mural Arts Philadelphia's monthlong celebration of the city's artistic history, which also included walking tours, poetry readings, and exhibitions from local artists.
"This tribute honors Harper's life and legacy, and we are proud to have played a role in its creation," said Michelle Holland, head of school at Greene Street Friends School. "Harper's story is one of courage, conviction, and creativity – values that we aim to nurture in our students every day."
The unveiling event marked the end of Mural Arts Philadelphia's celebration, which highlighted the city's rich artistic heritage. The new mural will serve as a lasting reminder of Harper's impact on American history and her enduring legacy as a writer, activist, and advocate for social justice.
A new public art piece was unveiled at the Greene Street Friends School in Germantown this week, commemorating the 200th birthday of poet and abolitionist Frances Ellen Watkins Harper. The mural, titled "Frances E. W. Harper: We Are All Bound Up Together," is the result of a collaboration between Mural Arts Philadelphia, Penn State University's Center for Black Digital Research, and local residents.
The large-scale artwork depicts Harper alongside fellow abolitionists Harriet Forten Purvis and Nannie Helen Burroughs, highlighting their contributions to the fight against slavery. The mural also features references to some of Harper's most well-known poems and serves as a testament to her enduring legacy as a writer and activist.
Harper, who was born in 1825, moved to Philadelphia at age 28 to become more active in the Underground Railroad. She went on to publish renowned books of poetry, advocate for abolitionist and suffragist organizations, and co-founded the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs.
According to Gabrielle Foreman, MacArthur fellow and founding co-director of the Center for Black Digital Research, Harper was a trailblazer in many ways. "She was the first Black woman to publish a short story," Foreman said. "Her legacy calls our students to be seekers of justice, stewards of integrity, and voice for equity."
The mural is part of Mural Arts Philadelphia's monthlong celebration of the city's artistic history, which also included walking tours, poetry readings, and exhibitions from local artists.
"This tribute honors Harper's life and legacy, and we are proud to have played a role in its creation," said Michelle Holland, head of school at Greene Street Friends School. "Harper's story is one of courage, conviction, and creativity – values that we aim to nurture in our students every day."
The unveiling event marked the end of Mural Arts Philadelphia's celebration, which highlighted the city's rich artistic heritage. The new mural will serve as a lasting reminder of Harper's impact on American history and her enduring legacy as a writer, activist, and advocate for social justice.
and i love that they included harriet forten purvis & nannie helen burroughs in the mural too, they were total trailblazers like her! 
also gabrielle foreman said she was the first black woman to publish a short story? mind blown 
this tribute is so much more than just a pretty picture it's a celebration of her life & legacy and all the values she stood for: justice, integrity, and equity 
i'm so proud of philly for doing this 
! I think it's so cool that they're highlighting her contributions to the fight against slavery and women's rights. I mean, she was basically a pioneer in everything - publishing books of poetry, co-founding organizations, even helping people escape through the Underground Railroad! Her legacy is still super inspiring today 
. It just goes to show that one person can make a huge difference when they're passionate about making things right. We need more people like her in our world 
.
meanwhile ppl r still fightin for equality & justice
. I'm also loving how they're highlighting her contributions to the fight against slavery and women's suffrage 
. this mural is not just a tribute to her life but also a reminder of the importance of seeking justice and integrity 
. can't wait to check out more of Mural Arts Philly's celebrations 
i mean, frances harper is like a total hero and all, but are we really just gonna celebrate one person's life? shouldn't we be talkin' about the system that kept her down in the first place? 
on the other hand, i guess it's cool that kids are gonna get to learn about this amazing woman who was literally fightin' for freedom and equality... what if we're just glossing over some of the harsher parts of her life though? 
maybe she wasn't as perfect as everyone's makin' her out to be? 
We need more Frances Ellen Watkins Harper's in our lives 
#FrancesEllenWatkinsHarper #PoetryForJustice
. And what about all the other contributions she made beyond just being an abolitionist poet? Like, did they even research her entire body of work before settling on this title?