The Atlanta Quilt Festival posted a call for quilts that interpreted the theme Getting Into MY Good Trouble — Continuing the Legacy of Congressman John Lewis. The call made me reflect on what issue would make me an activist instead of a spectator. Black maternal health was my immediate response because I was at that moment waiting for my first grand child from my only daughter. Suddenly, I was reading everything about Black Maternal Health and realizing that it was something that could be fixed if we only had the will. It is unacceptable that black women are three times more likely to die in childbirth than white women.

Unlike many others, my story has a happy ending. Baby Addison was born happy and healthy and her Mom is flourishing. That is how it should be for every family.

I knew my daily prayers for materna health and happiness would be answered for my family. Stepping out on faith, I chose the happiest fabrics I could find in my stash for March For Black Maternal Health. I hope the joy of the this quilt jumps out and grabs your heart.

March For Black Maternal Health depicts 5 pregnant women protectively holding their stomach. No faces are included because they are intended to be universal. I used fused applique to create the women and dress them joyfully because they can’t wait for the big day. I added the words “March For Black Maternal Health” in the borders because I wanted my message to be crystal clear, making the quilt measure 58 X 51 inches.

After the quilt was machine quilted by Maxine Moore, I heavily hand embellished the quilt with ribbon, yarn, rick rack, yo-yo’s, buttons, and crystals. Actual necklaces add dimension to the quilt.

The back of the quilt is a green African fabric which symbolized growth to me. There is a hanging sleeve for easy display and a label that documents the quilt.

I signed it on the front and added a charm that says “March On.”