Family Legacy Quilts
Group 4: Five of us worked on this part of the project. Our tasks were inspired by an activity created by Dr. Brianne Pitts, Assistant Professor of Elementary Education at WMU, for the 2023 MLK Day of Service project at Woods Lake Elementary in Kalamazoo, MI.
Dr. Pérez-Villa was a volunteer that day and she deeply admired the engagement displayed by elementary-school children who were asked to create mini quilts to represent Dr. King's messages to the world and his impact in our history.
Drawing from this idea, we developed our own lesson plan to conduct a family legacy quilt activity with girls from our own families or communities who could share more about their understanding of family, love, and legacy. Our motivation was Tiya Miles's discussion of quilts in her book and their importance as family heirlooms.
Lesson Plan.pdfThis is the lesson plan created by members of this group.
Leyla Celik
ProjectReport_LeylaCelik.docx.pdfIn this short essay, Leyla Celik, exchange student from Germany, reflects on her interview of 7-year-old Jenley. When asked who taught her about love, Jenley replied: "Mostly, my family, and kind of my friends too because… uhm… they kind of showed me what love feels like and what it feels like to be a friend."
Quilt drawn by Jenley, 7-year-old from Chicago
Shawna Madsen
Quilt Project Report.docx.pdfIn her short essay, Shawna Madsen, transfer student, reflects on the excitement she experienced when she knew she could bring together her passion for quilting and her completion of a group project for HIST 3160. She was even more enthusiastic when she learned she could work with a group of girls who attend her church is southwest Michigan.
Samples of the mini quilts the girls from Shawna's church created during the activity she facilitated. Shawna brought beautiful fabrics for the girls to get creative with their quilt designs reflecting family legacies.
Stephanna Spann
Stephanna Spann interviewed three girls in her community with their parents' permission. Here, she highlights one of the girl's drawings. While not technically a quilt, the girl added a note to explain why she drew her grandmother instead. The girl reflects on the importance of the tea pot in her family and how it became an heirloom.
When asked what lessons she has learned from the women of her family, Jewel replied: "The lessons I have learned from the women in my family are that family and faith are always important in my life."
Sabrina King
Sabrina King interviewed her 15-year-old cousin. When she asked him about legacy, “he had a very mature response: legacy is what you leave behind for your children and to make a positive impact for the generations to come.” He also added that one thing he’s learned from his mother is that “no matter what happens you have to keep fighting to reach your goals. Perseverance, the power of positive thinking, and a strong will are crucial to accomplish my goals.”
Takoda Bostwick
Takoda Bostwick interviewed Penny, an 8-year-old who “studies and competes in Irish dance. She even dances in the St Patrick’s Day Parade every year in downtown Kalamazoo. Her family is very proud of their Irish ancestry” and they see that as a valuable family legacy.