“Why Quilts Matter: History, Art & Politics” on KET2 – Episode 7, “Empowering Women One Quilt at a Time”
Episode 7, “Empowering Women One Quilt at a Time,” premiers on KET2 on Monday, October 17, at 7PM EST.
The land of the free was not always free for everyone. Women were not free to truly express themselves in the 19th century. However, they found ways to express their views, especially concerning politics. Whether obviously supporting their country with quilts covered in stars and flags or subtly sharing their views with patterns secretly named for the politics of the day, quilt making became the ultimate symbol of liberation. Unless you knew a certain pattern was called “Underground Railroad,” you might never know certain quilt makers supported abolitionist causes.
“It’s a tool of empowerment for women,” described Carolyn Mazloomi, quilt maker and Founder of Women of Color Quilters Network. Simply put, quilt making is powerful. The boundless stories women were able to share and the history they were able to preserve with quilt making is remarkable.
Even in today’s world, with dozens of avenues for political and social expression open to women, many still find quilt making more eloquent and effective. Through this episode, I hope I was able to show how much quilt making enabled women to speak out.
How do you speak out through the quilts you make or collect? Please join us for a discussion on Facebook!
– Shelly Zegart
→ Find out more about Episode 7, “Empowering Women One Quilt at a Time”
→ Image Resource Guide for Episode 7
Image Credits:
Top: Tuley Park Exhibition, 1930s. Tuley Park Quilt Club. Chicago Park District. Chicago, IL. Courtesy of Susan Salser. Chicago master quilter Mary Gasperik is standing at the left, in front of her Laurel Wreath quilt and behind Tuley Park quilt club president, Virgie Stewart. Mary Gasperik is Susan Salser’s grandmother. You can see the quilts that Mary made and learn more about her on the Quilt Index, www.quiltindex.org
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