Easton, MD
The story of five acclaimed African American quilters from Gee’s Bend, Alabama, will be unveiled onscreen when the community comes together to view the New York Times short documentary film, “While I Yet Live” at Brookletts Place on Monday, January 27, 2025 beginning at 5:30 p.m. Directed by Maris Curran, the film premiered as a New York Times opinion piece in 2018.
The January 27 screening includes a light meal and refreshments, with advanced registration required for the free event at bit.ly/jan27convo.
Gee’s Bend quilts are recognized as some of the most significant African-American visual and cultural art contributions in the United States. The quilts have been featured in Art World Magazine and are the subject of numerous books.
“You can look at a quilt. It can give you a feeling of something,” says China Pettway in the film. “You know, it gives you love. You can see love. You can see peace. You can see joy in different quilts.”
In the film, lifetime quilters Essie Pettway, Mary Lee Bendolph, Rita Mae “Rabbit” Pettway, China Pettway, and Mary Ann “Toots” Pettway bring their heritage and passion for quilting to light as they sing hymns and quilt while sharing thoughts about love, religion, and the fight for civil rights.
“When I went to march in the civil rights movement, I didn’t know the police and everything was there, taking people to jail, beating them, and all that kind of stuff,” remarked Mary Ann “Toots” Pettway. “I didn’t know. But I really wanted to become a registered voter. You know, when you become a voter, you could do something.”
The screening is part of the Talbot Family Network’s Conversations on Race series and is presented in partnership with the Talbot County Senior Center’s Brookletts Place. The year-long series brings the community together over monthly sessions for thoughtful dialogue about the impact of race on their lives and in the community.
“Conversations on race are an important part of a thriving, connected community,” says Talbot Family Network Director Nancy Andrew. “We are grateful to explore personal stories in this series and help to foster new connections and understanding with those who participate.”
The Talbot Family Network serves as Talbot County’s Local Management Board and was established by the state of Maryland to change the way services are provided to children and families. TFN identifies priorities and target resources for the jurisdiction’s communities, while also coordinating child and family services and administering state resources. LMBs improve coordination across state agencies and ensure local stakeholders are empowered to drive local priorities.
The mission of the Talbot Family Network is to identify and develop support systems for a healthy, safe, caring, and equitable community for all Talbot County children and families through collaboration with public and private entities.
For more information, visit www.talbotfamilynetwork.org.
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