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In My Lifetime... A Path of Injustice, Accomplishments, and a Victory Declared

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QUILT INDEX RECORD

12-8-6798

Who documented this quilt?

Michigan Quilt Project; Michigan State University Museum Collection; Women of Color Quilters Network; Quilts and Human Rights; Black Diaspora Quilt History Project

Where are the records for this quilt housed?

Michigan State University Museum

Michigan Quilt Project Number:

15.0150

If this quilt is owned by a museum, enter the accession number:

2014:55.60

Essay:

Artist statement about the work:
Artist: Harriette Alford Meriwether
Medium: Fiber and symbolization that is pieced and appliqued
Size: 77x80
Title: In My Lifetime... A Path of Injustice, Accomplishments, and a Victory Declared
Year Made: 2009

As I grew up in the South, I was aware of my kinship to Africa and the forced migration of Africans to the United States, and I was aware of slavery, lynching, segregation, and the emptiness in the eyes of my grandparents. This work of art documents some of the emotions, events and experiences that has impacted my life, and has brought me to one of the proudest moments yet in history... the election of Barack Obama, an African American, the 44th President of the United States of America.

The colors and design chosen for this work of art, have significance... Red convey intensity, depth, torture, shame adversity, and brokenness. The Black and White circles refer to the imposed punishment and pain directed at Blacks, by White America. And, the black and white circles also denote the extent and the duration of the suffering. The text declares and confirms that Blacks have always been a giving and capable people. The hands reach out in distress and in celebration of all we have encountered. This work also highlights some of the contributions and accomplishments of African Americans, depicted in the path on the central section of this quilt and on the inner border. Each block of the inner border is done in a liberated log cabin pattern, representing a simplistic lifestyle and the simple dwellings African Americans once called home. This design is of asymmetrical piecing of fabrics, sewn together in random order, with a "first," an African American President, President Barack Obama. His image at the top of the inner border gives me hope that real change has begun. The outer border is of an unconventional design that convey "out of the ordinary," and a deep hope for unforeseen unity among all of America's people.

This quilt is intended to tell a story, to celebrate the lives and history of African Americans, to salute the many martyrs, both men and women who stood for justice, and to give honor to President Barack Obama.

This work of art is dedicated to three of these women whose spirit uplifted me and inspired the creation of this work of art... Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, and Rosette B. Alford (my mother).

Quilt's title:

In My Lifetime... A Path of Injustice, Accomplishments, and a Victory Declared

Subject of the quilt:

Black Freedom Struggle, African American experience

Who helped you fill out the form?

Aleia Brown

When was the form filled out?

3/11/2015

Quilt top made by:

Meriwether, Harriette Alford

Quilted by:

German, Sandra

Where the quilt was made, city:

Pittsburgh

Where the quilt was made, state:

Pennsylvania (PA)

Where the quilt was made, country:

United States

Time period:

2000-2025

When was the quilt finished?

2009

Quilt is presently used as:

Artwork/wall hanging

Quiltmaker's gender:

Female

Quiltmaker's ethnic background/tribal affiliation:

African American

Does/did the quiltmaker belong to a group? Name of the group?

Women of Color Quilters Network

This is a:

Finished quilt

How wide is the quilt?

72"

How long is the quilt?

80"

Shape of edge:

Straight

What color is the quilt?

Black; Blue; Gray; Red

Quilt's condition:

Excellent/like new

Type of inscription:

Date; Message; Place; Single Inscription

What is inscribed on the quilt?

Harriette Alford Meriwether [Address] Pittsburgh, PA [Zip] [Phone] In my lifetime... A Path of Injustice, Accomplishments, and a Victory Declared -Fiber and Symbolization -77x80 2009

What is the date inscribed on the quilt?

2009

Method used to make the inscription:

Attached label; Typewriter

Location of inscription:

on back

Describe where the inscription was found:

Bottom left

Describe the quilt's layout:

Pictorial

Number of borders:

1

Describe the borders:

Gray border- 4 1/2"

Fiber types used to make the quilt top:

Cotton

Piecing techniques used to make the quilt top:

Hand Piecing

Applique techniques used to make the quilt top:

Hand Applique

Embellishments used:

Cotton thread

Materials used to make the back:

Cotton

Materials used in the quilt binding:

Cotton

How is the binding made?

Front turned to back

What is the width of the binding (measure on the top only)?

less than a half inch

How wide is the binding (measure on the top only)?

3/8"

What kind of filling is used in the quilt?

Cotton

How thick is the quilt?

Thin

How are the layers held together?

Machine quilting

Where did the maker find their pattern?

Original to maker

Exhibitions where this quilt was displayed:

National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center, DuSable Museum, Hampton University Museum

Publications (including web sites) where this quilt or maker was featured:

Journey of Hope: Quilts Inspired by President Barack Obama (exhibit catalog), Carolyn L. Mazloomi, Minneapolis: Voyageur Press, 2010.

Person filling out this form is:

Quilt collector

Ownership of this quilt is:

Public- Michigan State University Museum

Quilt owner's name:

Michigan State University Museum

Quilt owner's city:

East Lansing

Quilt owner's county:

Ingham

Quilt owner's state:

Michigan (MI)

Tell the story of how the quilt was obtained:

From the Collection of Carolyn Mazloomi

Who photographed this quilt?

Pearl Yee Wong

Copyright holder:

Michigan State University Museum, all rights reserved

Cite this Quilt

Meriwether, Harriette Alfor. In My Lifetime... A Path of Injustice, Accomplishments, and a Victory Declared. 2009. From Michigan State University Museum, Michigan Quilt Project; Michigan State University Museum Collection; Women of Color Quilters Network; Quilts and Human Rights; Black Diaspora Quilt History Project. Published in The Quilt Index, https://quiltindex.org/view/?type=fullrec&kid=12-8-6798. Accessed: 03/28/24