“Faces of Change Mural” Honors Women Who Changed Houston

Six Visionaries Honored in “Faces of Change” Mural

The Women’s Home to Host Public Mural Unveiling on October 3, 2026

Six extraordinary Houston women have been selected to be honored and memorialized in “Faces of Change: Her Story is Houston’s Story,” a visionary new mural by acclaimed Houston artist Anat Ronen. The Women’s Home, together with Co-Chairs Alden Clark and Doug Parker, announced the project, which will be celebrated at a public unveiling on Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 811 Westheimer, Houston, Texas 77006.

The women were selected by Houstonians for their remarkable contributions to the city and their demonstration of the courage to challenge the status quo, the vision to imagine what Houston could become, and the leadership to turn that vision into lasting change.

The stories of these women reveal have legacies reach across medicine, politics, civil rights, the arts, environmental advocacy, entrepreneurship and philanthropy—and continue to influence the city today.

THE WOMEN:

Charlotte Baldwin Allen: Remembered as the “Mother of Houston,” Charlotte Baldwin Allen represents the courage, resilience and often-unseen influence of the women who helped build Houston from its earliest days. Married to Augustus Chapman Allen, one of Houston’s founders, she was part of the city’s formative history and remained connected to its development long after its founding.

At a time when women’s contributions were rarely formally documented or celebrated, Allen’s place in Houston’s origin story offers an important reminder that the foundations of a great city are built not only by those whose names appear in history books, but also by the women whose strength, perseverance and influence helped sustain its earliest communities.

Dominique de Menil: Dominique de Menil transformed Houston’s cultural identity and helped establish the city as an international destination for art, ideas, spirituality and dialogue. A visionary philanthropist and cultural patron, de Menil and her husband, John, established the Menil Foundation and created the Menil Collection, bringing an extraordinary collection of modern and contemporary art to Houston.

Her vision extended far beyond collecting. She believed art should be accessible to everyone and could serve as a bridge across cultures, faiths and communities. Her commitment gave Houston institutions of global significance, including the Menil Collection and Rothko Chapel, while advancing a broader vision of art as a force for humanity and social justice. 

Terry Hershey: Terry Hershey demonstrated the extraordinary power of one citizen to change the future of an entire city. In the 1960s, when plans threatened to channelize Buffalo Bayou, Hershey rallied Houstonians to protect its natural character and helped stop the project.

Her grassroots leadership sparked a broader environmental movement, inspiring generations of Houstonians to recognize that waterways, green spaces, wildlife habitats and access to nature are essential to the city’s quality of life. She challenged the notion that progress required sacrificing Houston’s natural heritage—and helped redefine what responsible growth could look like. Today, Terry Hershey Park stands as a living testament to her determination and vision.

Ima Hogg: Ima Hogg was a visionary philanthropist and civic leader whose influence helped shape Houston’s cultural, educational and philanthropic landscape. Rather than seeking public office, she devoted her life to strengthening the city through investments in the arts, education, mental health, historic preservation and civic institutions.

In 1929, she founded the Houston Child Guidance Center, helping establish a pioneering model for children’s mental health services in Texas. She also played a transformative role in Houston’s cultural development, supporting museums, music and theater, historic preservation, and the creation of the Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens.

Hogg understood that a great city must invest not only in its buildings and institutions, but in the well-being, imagination and cultural life of its people. Her visionary philanthropy and hands-on civic leadership helped create a cultural legacy that continues to enrich Houston today.

Barbara Jordan: Barbara Jordan redefined the meaning of leadership in public service and became one of Houston’s most consequential voices on the national stage. A native Houstonian, she became the first African American woman elected to the Texas Senate and, in 1972, the first African American woman from the Deep South elected to Congress.

Her eloquence, intellect and unwavering commitment to constitutional principles earned her national respect. During the Watergate hearings, her powerful opening statement became one of the defining moments in American political history and established her as a voice of extraordinary moral authority. After leaving Congress, Jordan, a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, continued shaping future generations as a professor and public policy leader.

Ninfa Rodríguez Laurenzo: Ninfa Rodríguez Laurenzo, affectionately known as “Mama Ninfa,” changed Houston’s culinary landscape while breaking barriers for women and minority entrepreneurs. Following her husband’s death, she opened a modest 10-table restaurant on Navigation Boulevard in 1973. What began as a small neighborhood restaurant grew into the iconic Ninfa’s brand and helped introduce Houston’s distinctive Tex-Mex cuisine to a national audience.

Credited with popularizing fajitas—tacos al carbón—across the United States, Laurenzo became much more than a culinary pioneer. She built a thriving business from humble beginnings at a time when women and minorities faced significant barriers to entrepreneurship, proving that determination, ingenuity and a willingness to take a risk could create a lasting legacy.

ABOUT THE ARTIST & MURAL:

A Lasting Tribute to Houston’s Women—“Faces of Change: Her Story is Houston’s Story” is a monumental 61-foot-by-20-foot mural that will be completed in October 2026, creating a permanent tribute to extraordinary women whose courage, vision and leadership have helped define Houston’s cultural, civic and social fabric.

Created by Houston artist Anat Ronen, the mural will reflect the strength, resilience, diversity and enduring influence of Houston’s women while inviting generations of Houstonians to discover the stories of the women who helped shape the city they call home.

Ronen is a Houston-based multidisciplinary artist specializing in murals, street painting and works on canvas. Her work can be found throughout the greater Houston area in public spaces including interstate highways, bridges, buildings, churches and schools, as well as in museums and exhibitions across the United States and internationally in India, China and Australia. Her clients include Disney, Texas Children’s Hospital, Google, Hines, United Airlines and Johnson Space Center, among others.

THE WOMEN’S HOME INFORMATION:

For more information, visit https://www.thewomenshome.org.

Photos courtesy of The Women’s Home