New Annapolis Mural Honors Thurgood Marshall, Ruth Bader Ginsburg

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Residents will see a new painting next time they stroll around Downtown Annapolis. A local nonprofit just finished a mural honoring two late Supreme Court justices. The artwork depicts Thurgood Marshall and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who were both equal rights champions.

Future History Now started the project last Friday and completed it on Monday. The mural is located at 156 South Street, just off of Church Circle. It sits directly across from the Anne Arundel County Court House, paying homage to the judges.

"We believe the two Supreme Court justices embody the concept of equal justice under law, even as our judicial system sometimes falls short of this ideal," FHN co-founder Julia Gibb told Patch.

Community Involvement

Gibb started FHN with her husband, Jeff Huntington, in 2016. Their work mixes artistic expression with historical lessons.

The couple often partners with young painters to teach them these ideals. This "Equal Justice Mural Project" featured a team of 15- to 20-year olds who learned from teaching artists.

"The youth we work with are our future," Gibb said. "We hope that they can take something positive from each project that might serve as a step toward a brighter future."

Though FHN has painted 41 murals in five different countries, the group still has deep ties to Annapolis. The nonprofit has also worked on local murals remembering police shooting victim Breonna Taylor, Black actress Pearl Bailey and the Star Theater, which was the only Anne Arundel County cinema that welcomed African-American residents during segregation.

"Annapolis' relationship with the arts is constantly evolving," Gibb said, noting that more paintings are popping up around town. "We hope FHN's additions to the cityscape will be seen as examples of how such murals can not only enhance civic beauty and pride, but also as opportunities for education and community building."

Marshall and Ginsburg

As a lifelong Marylander, Marshall fought for school integration. President Lyndon B. Johnson appointed Marshall to the Supreme Court in 1967, making him the first Black justice.

Marshall, who is also the namesake of Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, died in 1993. He was 84.

Maryland commemorated Marshall's life with a statue on Lawyers Mall outside the statehouse in 1996. Gibb thinks the mural will complement this monument.

Ginsburg was a feminist who fought for gender equality. President Bill Clinton appointed her to the high court in 1993. Ginsburg served until her death last September. She lived to 87.

FHN originally planned to only paint Marshall, but the building owner asked the nonprofit to include Ginsburg after she died. Huntington, who designed the mural, was happy to oblige.

Visit futurehistorynow.org to learn more about FHN.

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