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