quiltersmuse.com Blog

This morning, I uploaded an article about Sarah Josepha Hale, an outstanding woman who was born in Newport, New Hampshire. She distinguished herself as an “editress” for many years, after having been widowed at a very young age, and left with five children to raise. Her story is as compelling today as ever, and it reveals glowing success in the face of challenge. I hope that you enjoy the article.

http://www.quiltersmuse.com/sarah_josepha_buell_hale.htm

Patricia Cummings

In honor of Black History Month, Jim and I traveled to Milford, New Hampshire to see a recently-dedicated statue that we had only heard about. Milford is a relatively small New England town, so I had no fear that the statue would be hard to find. Not seeing it in the little park within the “Oval” in downtown Milford, I asked a man who was walking his puppy where the Bicentennial Park is located. He directed us to another park that is actually called Centennial Park. Close, but no cigar.

So, we got back in the car, determined to find what we sought. We went around the oval and took our first right. I happened to see a statue out of the corner of my eye or we would have missed it altogether.

The statue is dedicated to Harriet E. Wilson who wrote the first novel written and published in America by an African-American. She was born in Milford and the citizenry there has stepped up to the plate to bring her out of obscurity. The Boston architect, hired by the committee, has done a superb job of capturing her essence, in bronze.

We have one photo of the statue on our front page and two other photos on the page dedicated to a description of her book and her life, accessible from a front page link right now. The file name is “Our Nig” (the name of her book), if you are looking for it at a later time.

Although the jaunt took us all afternoon, we are happy to bring you these quality photos and to share a bit about Harriet with you. What a lovely park, situated between a waterway and an old railroad line!

http://www.quiltersmuse.com/our_nig_overview.htm

Patricia Cummings

Over the weekend, I had typed the words to an article about Hafiza Malikbaba and her work with Rubia and its attempt to bring literacy to Afghanistan via the sale of embroideries. Today, Jim scanned some of the slides we have of pillows, purses, and patchwork, and of Hafiza herself, one wearing her burqa, and we have now added all the photos to the article.

Meeting Hafiza and her translator, Rachel Lehr, was a highlight of the summer in August 2006. I hope that you enjoy hearing about her intriguing stories of her life and that of her family, “after the Taliban,” in the poorest country on earth.

Patricia

Today, Jim and I collaborated on a new photo essay:

Mammy Quilts and Other Black Memorabilia: Artifacts of Prejudice, or Not?

http://www.quiltersmuse.com/mammy_quilts_and_black_memorabilia.htm

Hope you enjoy reading it!

Patricia

This year, as we give thanks around a table filled with the delectable food, please take a moment to think about the origins of the holiday. The pilgrims celebrated a Day of Thanks by fasting. George Washington called for a similar day in 1789. Our present American celebration has roots in the activism of one New Hampshire born woman, Sarah Josepha Hale. Widowed at a young age, she was “discovered,” due to her many poems and her brand new novel, at the time, Northwood.

With her five young children, she left for Boston to take the position of editor of Ladies Magazine. For years, she labored intensely to have the president of the United States declare an official Thanksgiving Day. President Abraham Lincoln agreed to proclaim such an annual holiday.

Of course, in the interest of time and space, I am leaving out a lot of details.

“N.H. Native Envisions Thanksgiving!” is an article that I wrote for Unravel the Gavel newspaper, November 17, 2006 (Volume 17, Number 10). As best I could, within the scope of available space, I have described Sarah Josepha Hale’s life.

This paper is available by subscription, and is also free to pick up at select antique stores in New England area. The article includes very special copies of colorplate illustrations from Godey’s Lady’s Book, the publication which Hale edited until two years before her death (at 91).

When I give thanks this year, I will remember my wonderful editors. They follow a long line of strong women who made a difference in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and are continuing to be the voice of women today. By their editorials and selections for content, they serve as trend setters, and the social conscience of our society.

Sarah Josepha Buell Hale: just one woman, but what an impact! Remember her kindly as you “break bread together.” The index page of our website now features a song that is appropriate for Thanksgiving, and information about a contemporary of Hale who gave us a Thanksgiving poem.

Pat