Liberia: A Visit Through Books - what an adventure!

Let me take a moment to share a personal story. It's almost quilt-related! Last year at a book signing for "Martha Ann's Quilt for Queen Victoria," I met a remarkable woman, Izetta Roberts Cooper. She is a retired librarian from Liberia. Now, I have a collection of library cards from each city I've lived in (Los Angeles to London) - so talking with her was fascinating!

She mentioned that her master's thesis was on historical books about Liberia. I wanted to read her thesis. Eventually, I was invited to her home, read the report, and thought it should be published for a wider audience - especially given the 14 year civil war in Liberia that destroyed so many books. So, in March of 2008, she and I started meeting about once a month to outline and write what would be a book about her life and her love of books.

Well, her book is now available, Liberia: A Visit Through Books. This 96 page softback includes her thesis as well as a biography of her career as a librarian (she actually worked with Arna Bontemps and she introduced the Dewey Decimal System to the University of Liberia library!). Mrs. Cooper is a career woman (though retired), loving wife, dedicated mom. I was surprised to learn that for two years she hosted and produced a TV show in Liberia called The World of Books. Summaries from various shows are included in the book. We also have an extensive timeline from 1900 - 2008 chock-full of historical events, literary publications, blogs, and films about Liberia.

We published her book via Lulu.com, a site that can print a single-copy of a book once it's purchased. I'm thrilled to have worked with Mrs. Cooper on her book, which has great historical and valuable insights for Liberia. Mrs. Cooper recently celebrated her 79th birthday and can see completing another book! I hope you have a look at her book.

So, how does this tie to quilting? As a quilter, have you thought about how your quilts and your sewing stories will survive in the next 50 or 100 years? If Jennie Smith had not recorded Harriet Powers' words in the 1890s on what motivated her as an artist, would we know Mrs. Powers' deepest creative insights in 2008? Mrs. Cooper's career as a librarian is now recorded. How are you recording YOUR quilts? How would you like to? Do post a comment!

116 Years Ago Today - Martha Ricks Presents Queen Victoria with a Quilt

This day in history .... July 16, 1982 .... 116 years ago today, Martha Ann Ricks was invited to Windsor Castle to meet Queen Victoria. This former Tennessee slave and Liberian citizen was honored with a lunch and tour of the Castle. She also had an audience with Queen Victoria and met the queen's son, Prince Edward, his wife, and three daughters. Sistah Quilter Martha Ricks presented the Queen of England with a handmade quilt featuring a coffee tree in full bloom. If you haven't heard about Martha Ann Ricks before, I invite you to read my children's book about her - it's an inspirational story! Enjoy!

James Weegi captures Presidential fabrics

One of the talks at the 39th Annual Liberian Studies Association conference in March 2007 at Indiana University, Bloomington featured photographs from the Inauguration of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf by James Weegi. Mr. Weegi's presentation file is huge and takes a few moments to download. It's well worth the wait! The fashions on Inauguration Day - January 16, 2006 - were fantastic! Mr. Weegi captured photographs of women wearing dresses made from fabrics featuring the new president. I counted at least three different prints - including the print in the photo here. Mr. Weegi - thank you very much for capturing the +50 photos and sharing them across the Atlantic!

Seven Sewing Sisters - Liberian Flag Story, Quilt

Who stitched the first US flag? I'd bet you'd say Betsy Ross. Who sewed the first Liberian flag? Did you know it was seven African American women? Learn more about these 1847 sistah seamstresses in the just published Amazon Short, The Liberian Flag Story & Love of Liberty Quilt. It's just 49 cents from Amazon.com. And, guess what? There's a easy-to-make pattern for a queen-sized Liberian flag quilt called "Love of Liberty Quilt" included! I hope you enjoy this gem!

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf RARE fabric

The Internet can be a GEM! Thank you to Bernard Collet - who has an extraordinary collection of 200 different African fancy prints - scroll down to see yesterday's post. He forwarded to me a scan of a RARE - at least here in the US - print of Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. (You can read a commentary about the new president by Mojúbàolú Olúfúnké Okome in JENDA: A JOURNAL OF CULTURE AND AFRICAN WOMEN STUDIES).

I'll trade practically any piece in my African American fabric collection for a half yard or more of the Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf fabric! Thanks for sharing Mr. Collet.