Mary Peake, an educator, who taught reading under the Emancipation Oak in Hampton, Virginia, during the Civil War, when it was illegal to teach enslaved people to read due to laws passed after Nat Turner's rebellion; this oak tree is now located on the campus of Hampton University. Mary S. Peake's vibrant collage intricately weaves history and resilience, capturing her inspiring legacy with a harmonious blend of colors, textures, and symbolic elements, bringing to life the profound impact of her contributions. As Mary was also a dressmaker, it feels appropriate that this artwork is a part of my “Dressmaker” Series.