CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WOWK) – The Charleston YWCA is honoring one of its own who passed away just a few weeks ago. Katherine “Kitty” Dooley is being memorialized through a mural in her honor at the building that carries her namesake – the Kitty Dooley Center for Community Enrichment.

The mural is titled Garden of Dooley, and it was created by local artist Tyrone Scott to celebrate Dooley’s extraordinary impact on the community.

“There’s not a lot of figures in the community that have such a good outreach as much as she did,” said Tyrone Smith, the artist for the mural. “She impacted a lot of people and changed a lot of people’s lives. So to be able to give her a mural to represent her whole livelihood and everything she has done, it’s been great to experience that and see how the local community has evolved.”

YWCA Charleston, city mourn local advocate Katherine ‘Kitty’ Dooley

As an attorney and advocate, Kitty Dooley has dedicated her career to uplifting communities, championing civil rights and expanding access to education and opportunities. Her leadership has profoundly impacted West Virginia, making her a beacon of hope and progress. The Charleston YWCA announced her passing on Oct. 3, 2025.

People were seen coming and going all evening Wednesday, paying their respects to the mural and who Dooley was as a person.

“I got a phone call from a family member that works here, and they wanted me to do a mural super quick and fast notice, and this is what we got,” Smith said. “If you have a passion, follow it. It doesn’t matter if it sounds crazy to anybody; just follow your dreams. Anything that you want to do can be imaginable.”

Local leaders with the city of Charleston and leaders with the YWCA all came out to show their support on Wednesday.

People who attended the mural unveiling were also invited to attend a storytelling event later in the evening, featuring stories from survivors, supporters, and community members who have been inspired by Dooley over the years.