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“When an individual’s talents, intelligence and character are left unnoticed, they may fade away, disappear, or be replaced and never be seen or developed into their full potential.” – Lori Pratico
Every community has residents who typically aren’t noticed. They live their lives in relative obscurity, and yet they have a story to tell that can contribute richly to the fabric of their neighborhoods.
That’s why Lori Pratico, who began her career as a Philadelphia billboard painter, founded Girl Noticed—a public, nationwide mural project with a goal of raising up one segment of “invisible residents”: women and girls. Community businesses and organizations in neighborhoods across the country—including NeighborWorks Lincoln in Nebraska—are serving as “hosts” for Pratico’s murals. Her goal is “50 states/50 murals” and anyone can nominate a girl or woman to be featured by emailing [email protected].
In the case of Lincoln, a local friend of Pratico’s approached the city’s mayor with a proposal to participate. In turn, she went to NeighborWorks Lincoln to help coordinate the project. The nonprofit put out a call for nominations: Each person nominating themselves or another female was asked to make her case in writing or via a one-minute video. The only other instruction: The application had to begin with "I am" and end with "notice me." NeighborWorks Lincoln had a particular desire to recognize immigrants who had made Lincoln their home. (Nebraska led the nation in resettling the most refugees per capita during the last year.)
More than 30 nominations were received. The two women selected represent two countries and two generations: College student Haifaa Al-Saadi was born in a refugee camp in Saudi Arabia and came to the United States at 2 years old after her parents fled Iraq. She is working toward a bachelor’s degree in psychology at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and wants to become an art therapist. In contrast, Thuy Nguyen, a refugee from Vietnam, has been in the United States for 40 years, building a life for herself and her family. She owns Little Saigon Plaza, a Vietnamese market that celebrates 25 years in business this year.
NeighborWorks Lincoln worked wit the city's Urban Development Department and Lutheran Family Services to secure an appropriate wall on which to create the mural, then recruit nominees and publicize the event.
“That was the part of the project that took the longest,” says Marti Lee, community builder. “We had to identify a building with a large, blank, concrete wall and no windows; secure permission from the owner and tenants; and get approval from the city planning department.”
Fortunately, a new building housing various community services was suggested by a city employee, and permission from the owner and tenants was secured. On the day of the mural painting, residents across the city were invited to watch, as well as participate in activities offered by a local arts center in its mobile outreach van. The evening before the event, the artist was available for a Q-and-A session in a local bookstore.
“Art has always been where I have found my voice, and I aim to be heard,” says Pratico. With her help, girls and women across the country are being seen as well as heard.
