These quilts reflect some current events…
This quilt was based on a New Yorker cover by B. Blitt, representing children hiding from harm – family separation and jail — in Lady Liberty’s skirts. Like everyone I know, I am outraged that Trump’s government is taking kids away from their families, and keeping children in detention. We have become a monster state. I was very moved by the drawing. It was fun to make Liberty, drape beautiful green fabric, and imagine her big feet and hands. I decided to add two children that at the time we knew had died in ICE detention – Jakelin and Felipe, both Guatemalans. I made Liberty’s arm framing them protectively – I couldn’t stand the idea that she could only be a metal statue. I thought about who to give it to in Congress. I decided to give it to Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, because she comes from New York, and because people all around me were talking about her and her bravery and leadership. So I took the quilt to her office and left it with a male receptionist (on the left as you walk in). I never heard back if she got it.” – Kit Miller, Quilter.
Congresswoman Barbara Lee meets quilt guru Fannie Etheridge – it doesn’t get any better than that!
MINE. It was unbelievable that in the spring of 2019 male lawmakers in several states denied women their right to abortion. States all over the country have restricted these rights lately; this is on top of the Hyde Amendment, Congress’s 40+year prohibition against low income women’s access to abortion. Women’s access to reproductive rights — even birth control! — is in danger. Despite it all, Planned Parenthood continues to be a great resource for all women, and men too.