A new mural on the Westside has immortalized the life’s work of Dr. Laura Banks-Reed.
She was a native Tucsonan and civil rights activist, helping change public education in southern Arizona.
“Dr. Banks was an educator and believed education opened many opportunities and many doors,” Magdalena Verdugo, the YWCA Arizona CEO said.
The mural was commissioned by the Tucson YWCA, Verdugo says they are launching a new program in her honor.
Adam Klepp It’s called the Dr. Laura Banks Reed Center for Gender and Racial Equity.
“The center for gender and racial equity is going to house our education and training component, our community engagement, and our policy and advocacy efforts,” Verdugo said.
Muralist Jessica Gonzales said incorporating Dr. Banks-Reed’s life work into the mural was her main inspiration.
“She served many years as an activist and was an advocate for people of color and women,” Gonzales said. “I put the saguaros and the mountains in there because she’s a Tucson native and from Barrio Anita.”