Community Leaders Helen Toland, Anna Bailey, and Herman Moody are being honored in a new 214-foot-long mural located in the Historic Westside. The Historic Westside is described as an ideal canvas for public art. The mural is titled “Architects of Community." It was created by Haywood and Mario Smith. You can see these artists work at the West Las Vegas Arts Center. The community leaders being recognized have each made an extraordinary impact on the community. Helen Toland was the first African American female principal hired by the Clark County School District in 1965 at Kit Carson Elementary School. Continuing on, Anna Bailey was the first African American showgirl to perform at the Flamingo Hotel & Casino in the 1960 and Herman Moody was one of the first African American police officers to work in Las Vegas. The mural does not just contain these three important leaders but also African symbols combined with personal symbols in order to pay tribute to each individual. The mural is a celebration of the historic Westside's rich history and how that had a significant impact on the evolution of the city of Las Vegas. Mayor Carolyn Goodman emphasized how the mural program is giving a voice and presence to several residents. This mural is part of the Historic Westside Mural Project. The project ties into the city’s Historic Urban Neighborhood Design Redevelopment Plan. This mural is the fifth community mural in the Historic Westside that has been funded and revealed by the Mayor’s Fund in the past few years.
Source: https://www.ktnv.com/news/three-community-leaders-featured-in-new-historic-westside-mural