“Four Waves of Feminism” Mural Unveiled at the Mill District

The Amherst chapter of the Young Feminist Party (AYFP) unveiled a striking mural, entitled “Four Waves of Feminism 2025” at the Mill District on a frigid February 2. The mural was uncovered by Young Feminist Party founder Marisol Pierce Bonifaz and Director of Outreach Ada Paessel, who adapted and updated Cinda Jones’ 1986 design. The mural will remain on permanent display on the wall southeast of the  pink wall in the Mill District.

In her opening remarks, Mill District developer and WD Cowls President Jones said that it was fitting that the mural find a home at the North Amherst location. She said,” The Mill District has been run by Feminists since before the First Wave. Sarah Cowls, my great grandmother, didn’t have the right to vote but she did have the right to own property. And she did. And she ran a major dairy operation on this site, next to her father’s sawmill.  Although it was 100% her business, which she ran independently from her father and husband, Sarah Cowls’ five-gallon milk cans had her husband’s name on them. My Uncle Denny told me that I’m just like Sarah Cowls. That like me, she was a tough, direct business manager who took no shit, and knew what she wanted. I hope in the future, these traits are even less surprising to find in a woman. Feminism is generational here in The Mill District. It’s amplified by today’s Young Feminists.”

Jones said that she designed a feminist mural when she was a student at Amherst Regional High school and based it on the same 1831 Japanese woodcut by Katsushika Hokusai as the original design proposed by the current AYFP.  However, Jones’ design was never painted. Paessell abandoned her own original four-panel design and adapted Jones’ design to incorporate the four waves of feminism. The mural depicts a young woman gazing out to the audience while her hair flows behind her in waves made up of protesting figures. The waves are portrayed as the four waves of feminism: the first focused on suffrage and the introduction of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), the second on Roe v. Wade  and the push for a more inclusionary movement, the third focused on the #MeToo movement, and the fourth on the present day demand for bodily autonomy and the publication of the ERA. The Amherst Young Feminist Party’s statement explains, “This imagery urges the viewer to reflect on the history of feminism and to imagine themselves in the future of the movement as well.”

Members of the AYFP and community members worked together over the fall semester to paint the design created by Paessell, who Pierce Bonifaz described as “powerful, tenacious, and a magically creative artist.” Paessell explained, “We used (Jones’) sketch as a jumping off point, and shifted its focus to our message of education and historical mindfulness. With this mural we want to … inspire a new generation of activists to stand up for their beliefs. In this increasingly uncertain and turbulent time, it is more important than ever to look back on the achievements of yesterday to inspire the action of today. We must remember that we do have power, as a community, and when we come together, there is an endless amount of good we can do. If you feel as overwhelmed as I do by current politics, I urge you to focus on your local communities, to focus on the good you can do right here, right now. I have learned so much from this incredible mural, and all the people who banded together to make it happen.” She added that although feminism is the focus of the group, the AYFP also supports people of color and the LGBTQIA+ community, which have and continue to experience many of the same injustices. The Young Feminist Party is a national, youth-led intersectional organization demanding widespread gender equality and bodily autonomy for all.

The event in the Mill District Local Art Gallery was well attended and amply supplied with food and drink from Tres Amigos and Futura Coffee, a beautiful cake depicting the mural by the Carefree Cakery, and free scoops of ice cream from Herrells. Artwork from local artists surrounded the attendees. Amherst Media filmed the event and interviewed the organizers. 

Young Feminist Party
Young Feminist Party is a youth-led movement to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment and advance gender equality in the United States of America. Our mission is to build a coalition of young people across the country leading an intersectional feminist revolution that empowers and advocates for the full equality of young women, non-conforming, non-binary, femme, and queer folx.

The Amherst Young Feminist Party
The Amherst Young Feminist Party, the organizers of this mural, is the local chapter of a national, youth-led, intersectional organization fighting to enshrine legal gender equality into our Constitution and ensure bodily autonomy for all. Founded in May of 2020, the chapter has grown to a base of 50+ activists ranging from the ages of 13 to 26, and 20+ active members. This project has been graciously funded and supported by The Mill District, North Amherst, a vocal regional champion of peace and equality.

Instagram: @youngfeministparty_amherst