My challenge quilt specifically addresses the issue of Women, Peace and Security in the form of provoking analytical thinking. Let us all rally for Middle Eastern women that they NOT remain faceless AND voiceless during the process of forming the new governments. Women must be a vital part of the solution! The collective spirit empowers women around the world whether rich or poor, covered or uncovered, old or young, oppressed or free, no matter what our skin colour or spiritual convictions. Let us find strength and courage in Margaret Mead’s powerful words “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

The weavers of Bosfam have made 15 quilts, commemorating victims of the 1995 Srebrenica massacre. The Diaspora Quilt carries the names of 25 men and boys. It was commissioned by family members who now live in the US and woven in Bosnia by women who themselves lost relatives at Srebrenica or were displaced by the war. As well as telling the story of the massacre, quilting allows women to work together and share their experiences, which can be deeply therapeutic.

In the summer of 2010, over 100 survivors of sexual violence in the Eastern Congo produced hand-embroidered panels for a quilt while they were receiving treatment from SOS Femmes En Danger, a Congolese NGO.

Siempre Esperanza Jennifer Day Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA Siempre Esperanza – always hope – is the spirit behind this quilt.  The woman is from Oaxaca, Mexico.  Her sweet smile is all the more stirring in light of the skeleton bones behind her.    With all of the strife revolving around the drug wars in Mexico, [...]

Human trafficking generates 32 billion dollars in revenue each year. 162 countries are affected by human trafficking. 800,000 victims are brought across international borders each year with 80% being women or girls. 70% of female victims are trafficked for sexual exploitation.

In conflict areas of the world women are pursued at watering holes and are at risk of being the target of the most brutal weapon of war: rape.

My approach is to portray a woman who is in a turbulent situation but dreams of a better life. Elements of both strife and serenity are in this piece, symbolized by a bare tree, a bird, etc.

This quilt depicts images of five women carrying a heavy load on their heads. Their mental and physical strength and resiliency are symbolized by their heads made of metal. The heavy weight of their load is symbolized by the basket made of steel.

Because of the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and in peace-building, I thought this quilt, of the pond and drop of water creating a ripple effect, is a representation of not only one person, but several women coming together, being strong and reaching out, rippling out to all women of the world everywhere.

Women, the world over, toil daily to provide essentials for their families. They strive to provide such tangibles as food, clothing, shelter, and the intangibles of safety, security, and love. Such tasks are further complicated by relentless threats of destruction.