The March Quilts Year 5— Unsung Heroines (2019)

Year 5: Unsung Heroines

Year five of TMQ occurred in tandem with Alabama’s bicentennial celebration. Bib & Tucker chose to honor unsung heroines of Alabama who have shaped or are shaping the state’s future. One such heroine, Claudette Colvin, was arrested at the age of fifteen in Montgomery, Alabama, for refusing to give up her seat to a white person on a crowded, segregated bus. That was on March 2, 1955. Nine months later, Rosa Parks would do the same thing. The colors for foundation blocks were limited to red and white, mimicking the colors of Alabama’s state flag. Completed blocks were arranged to depict the gender symbol for female. In this case, a red symbol on a white background.

The year-long series of sewing sessions started on January 7, 2019 at the Avondale Public Library in Birmingham, to honor Zora Neale Hurston on her birthday. Although she is well known today, Ms. Hurston died penniless and was laid to rest in an unmarked grave. The colors for foundation blocks were limited to red and white, mimicking the colors of Alabama’s state flag. Completed blocks were arranged to depict the gender symbol for female. In this case, a white symbol on a red background.

Continue with the Oral Histories

The project is possible from funding through our partners:

About The March Quilts