[1] Johnson was inspired by the 1931 book Women Builders written by Sadie lola Daneil and illustrated by Hallie Q.

The children's book contains biographies of Black women who Daneil considered pioneers in education, finance, and social institutions.

[2][3] Included in the painting are images of the seven subjects of the book as well as a portrait of the author, Sadie lola Daneil.

[4] Depicted are: The oil on paperboard painting is in the collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM).

It was included in the traveling exhibition Fighters for Freedom: William H. Johnson Picturing Justice.