06/06/2026
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NOTE: The Rainbow Girls honored by this recent street naming are not associated with the Masonic youth organization. After reading the comments, I can see there is a bit of confusion. Rainbow Girls Blvd is named after a charitable group of African American women formed in the mid 1940s (during segregation). One of their primary focuses was raising support and supplies for the only African American hospital in Fort Smith—the Twin City Colored Hospital, which was located on Midland Blvd. Sorry for the confusion!
🌈 Sometimes the most memorable moments are the ones you can't plan for.
During the unveiling of the new Rainbow Girls Blvd. street sign, the cover was secured a little too tightly, and the rope meant to reveal the sign unexpectedly broke.
Without hesitation, Angelia Christian, daughter of Nichelle Christian, stepped forward and volunteered to climb the pole and remove the cover herself. With support from her father, Tracy Christian, and Fort Smith Police Department's Chief Baker, Angelia helped ensure the sign could finally be revealed.
What started as an unexpected challenge became a perfect example of the Rainbow Girls' spirit—determination, resilience, and the ability to overcome obstacles when things don't go as planned.
The moment served as a fitting tribute to the legacy of the Rainbow Girls and the values they have instilled in generations of young women.
Congratulations to all who helped make Rainbow Girls Blvd. a reality!
Read more on the history of the Rainbow Girls here: https://talkbusiness.net/2026/05/history-of-rainbow-girls-in-fort-smith-includes-accomplishments-pain/
Photo courtesy of Kimberly Mundell, Talk Business & Politics-Fort Smith & Northwest Arkansas.
