THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT
THE CREATION OF THE DISTRICT V GIRL SCOUTS HONOR MURAl
BY GENE KANSAS
The District V Girl Scouts Honor Mural
A work of public art representing Black History, Women’s Rights and Civil Rights
There are untold numbers of both monumental and everyday heroes left out of the annals of history. Equitable representation for women and especially women of color is long overdue, as is recognition of their accomplishments. In addition to being a stunning work of art, the District V Girl Scouts Honor Mural on the sunrise-facing wall of the historic Atlanta Daily World Building at 145 Auburn Avenue in the heart of Sweet Auburn was created to look toward a brighter future.
Built in 1912, the Atlanta Daily World Building is a historic site in journalism and was at one time home to the country’s oldest Black daily newspaper, the building’s namesake. It was also home to another history-making group, District V, Atlanta’s first Black Girl Scout Troop. Established in 1943 by Bazoline Usher, in a time when segregation and discrimination were law, the brave women and girls of District V showed what was possible and helped set the stage for civil rights successes to come.
Sean Schwab & Emily Cadena of The Loss Prevention spray on final touches. Photo by Drew Perlmutter
The mural features Roslyn Pope, an original District V scout, and it captures her spirit and a viewpoint worth celebrating, “The Future Is Bright.” Pope, who dedicated her life to public service, civil rights, and Black rights, was the very definition of representation, and yet relatively few know about her achievements. Especially poignant is her leadership as primary author of the famed 1960 civil-rights manifesto, “An Appeal for Human Rights” which sparked the Atlanta Student Movement, fueled the national movement, and helped end segregation.
As it happens, another former Girl Scout of Greater Atlanta helped lead the mural’s creation that helps give Pope the recognition she deserves. Helen McGaughy, a preservationist and art enthusiast who serves as Project Associate and Agent specializing in historic buildings for project lead Gene Kansas | Commercial Real Estate, remembers when she first heard about a possible mural honoring the District V in early 2023.
“When I learned about the project, I was so excited,” she recalls. “I knew this was a chance to show recognition for a woman and fellow Girl Scout who represented the ideals of women’s rights and equal rights.”
McGaughy spent her youth in Girl Scouts, receiving the coveted Gold Award for her project to provide footwear to children in Nicaragua and The Democratic Republic of Congo. She says the Girl Scouts provided her with foundational tools that have served her, including exposure to influential community members, a sense of resourcefulness, and friendship.
Emily Cadena (left) is not only a phenomenal artist, she is also a Girl Scout! Sean Schwab (right) and his partner Maggie White founded The Loss Prevention and worked with designer Brian Simons to create the artwork for the Honor Mural.
Photos by Drew Perlmutter
Along with Gene Kansas and the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta with the leadership of Leslie Gilliam, Liz Loreti, and Alantria Dixon, McGaughy helped raise funds and worked with Invest Atlanta, community partner Constellations, muralists The Loss Prevention and collaborating muralist Emily Cadena (also a Girl Scout!), designer Brian Simons, and writer Jamie Allen to make the mural a reality.
“It’s an inspiration for girls who are currently Scouts, including those who are seeing their history represented,” McGaughy says. “I’ve spoken with troop leaders who have brought their Girl Scout troops to see the Martin Luther King Jr. Birth Home, Ebenezer Baptist Church, and now the District V Honor Mural.
“People in the neighborhood are affected by it, too,” she says. “They might have known Roslyn Pope or known of her influence. And it’s nice to be able to have something that commemorates her life as well as the troop who did so much for the community.”
