Spread the word! Stitch one for yourself, one for your neighbor, and one for your granny while you’re at it! We have five different motifs to chose from.
Feminists FTW!
Here at CraftJam, we love a strong, determined, bad*ss woman. And with the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment and women’s right to vote, what better time to pay homage to the bold, forward-thinking, diverse group of women who lead the charge!
To celebrate these fearless women and their gutsy determination to fight for their rights, CraftJam is thrilled to partner with The New York Times and Versify to bring you a very special suffrage-themed embroidery WebJam August 15th and 22nd! Inspired by the book Finish the Fight!: The Brave and Revolutionary Women Who Fought for the Right to Vote written by New York Times journalist Veronica Chambers, we will join together online to stitch suffragette Ida B. Wells-Barnett, as well the icons and slogans that emblazoned pins, flags and signage 100 years ago. #LiftingAsWeClimb, right ladies?
The cover art for “Finish the Fight!” Published by HMH/Versify, Art by Steffi Walthall, 2020.
Why Ida B. Wells-Barnett?
Ida B. Wells-Barnett is a hero of American history, but her work is also hugely relevant to the times that we are in. Born enslaved, Ida studied at a historically black college (she would’ve fit right in to Beyoncé’s “Homecoming”) before becoming a teacher and journalist. Her fearless reporting on the horrors of lynching fixed national attention on the racist violence and domestic terrorism of the Jim Crow era. Ida said, “Hold up” to racism, sexism, injustice, and inequality even when her life was threatened. Her journalism and activism changed the nation, and her legacy is heralded worldwide. In 2020, she received a posthumous Pulitzer Prize. For Ida B. Wells-Barnett, let’s #FinishTheFight!
Why Embroidery?
Out of any impactful social movement comes recognizable iconography and symbolism – think a rainbow flag in a window, a raised black fist painted on a building, or a pink pussy hat atop a young woman’s head – all visual markers that make a powerful statement! The fight for women’s right to vote 100 years ago was no different. Through embroidery – a centuries-old craft practiced by a wide range of cultures, religions, and professions – we hope these powerful icon, slogans and calls-to-action can once again become a symbol of work that has been done AND the work that there still is to do!
Pick up your needles and floss, and join us on August 15th or August 22nd to celebrate Ida B. Wells-Barnett and ALL the women who fought for our rights! #VotesForWomen
Pro-suffrage pin, circa 1910. Chicago History Museum/Getty Images, via The New York Times.
Join CraftJam for a variety of beginner-friendly virtual workshops! From macrame to calligraphy, needle felting to watercolor – you’re sure to find your jam 🙂
Need supplies? We’ve got you covered! Check out all our JamMaster-approved kits here.
Psst – we host corporate and private events, too!
