Gee's Bend is a town in Alabama. Its real name is Boykin. It is known for quilts. Women in Gee's Bend have made them for over 100 years. They are works of American art.
Pieces of History
The first Gee's Bend quilters lived in enslavement. They made quilts from old clothes. Their quilts were unique. They used different patterns. And they had bright colors. These women passed on what they knew. They taught their children to quilt.
Enslavement ended. Time passed. Then came the civil rights movement. This was in the 1960s. Many people in Gee's Bend took part. White leaders were angry. They made Gee's Bend harder to get to. This hurt the town. It was hard for people to make money.
A Busy Bee
Some women in Gee's Bend had an idea. They started a sewing business. It was called the Freedom Quilting Bee.
These women used the lessons from the past. How so? They made quilts from old clothes. The quilts had unique patterns. They were sold in stores across the U.S. People loved them!
Then things changed. It was the late 1980s. Fewer people bought quilts. The Bee closed. But the quilts lived on. In what way?
From the Past to the Future
The Bee quilts were part of an art show. It was in the 2000s. More and more people learned about the quilts.
Now there's a new group of Gee's Bend quilters. They are honoring their past. And carrying it into the future.
Think about and discuss these questions:
What different purposes have quilts served for the people of Gee's Bend?
How are different skills being used in your community to create art or generate income?
QUESTION 4
4 / 4
Which two words have almost the same meaning?
town and farm
unique and special
different and same
quilt and show
