Many may not think too much about quilts, how they’re made, or where the material comes from. But in a land in rural Alabama, with its only direct-route accessible exclusively by ferry boat, the quilts serve not just as bedding, but also to block the outside winds from inside the homes.
Manager of the Gee’s Bend Quilting Collective Mary Ann Pettway and China Pettway, one of the region’s leading gospel singers, spoke at the annual William G. Anderson Lecture Series which was put on by the College of Osteopathic Medicine on Feb. 26. Associate Dean of Osteopathic Engagement and Company Practice and Assistant Professor of Osteopathic Surgical Specialties Dr. Marita Gilbert organized the event.
“We have been doing this series for 26 years now,” Gilbert said. “And this is something that was really important to Dr. Anderson when he started the series. It started small and has become a hallmark of Black History celebrations at Michigan State University. And so, we have grown and grown… we’re continuing to grow.”
Gee's Bend, formally known as Boykin, is a census-designated place in rural Alabama. Though not nearby to Michigan State University, Mary Ann and China Pettway made the trip to East Lansing to share the history of quilting in their community.
For these two women, quilting isn't just about art: they're making functional, everyday items. Quilting is a skill that young women and girls learn in the Gee's Bend region, and it's passed down through generations.
“Quilting has been certainly an African American and African American women’s tradition, a way of bringing community together, telling stories about either our families or our communities, and then taking bits of pieces of things that, you know, may not have been as useful any longer and making something beautiful,” Gilbert said.
Mary Ann and China Pettway spoke about their upbringing, and how they sourced their fabric for the quilts. The scraps and shapes would come from old garments, things such as old skirts and pants. They also spoke of their mothers and their families in other ways, painting a picture for the audience of what growing up in Gee’s Bend was really like. The two credit God for their successes and say it’s easy for them to stay true to their faith because they know and remember where they came from.
The quilts can be commissioned. The two women as well as others have been able to make money by selling the quilts. They offer specific commission exchanges. Over time, China Pettway has developed a love for all aspects of quilting.
“Blue was my favorite color, but now every color I see is my favorite,” China Pettway said.
The tradition is still passed down with Mary Ann's grandson, DeShaun, taking up quilting. This later inspired him in his career as he took up graphic design in college.
