NY historian interviews Freedom Quilters

Quilters share thoughts on their project and its purpose

Everyone remembers where he or she was on September 11, 2001. And each person recalls something different about that day. Recently, 15 northwest Iowa women gathered in Varina to reminisce about 9/11 and talk about the project that has caused them to stay connected these past six years.

Amy Weinstein is the associate curator and oral historian for the National September 11 Memorial Museum at the World Trade Center. In mid-August, she traveled to Iowa from New York City to interview some of those people who have been involved in the Freedom Quilts project created by Betty Nielsen of Fonda, IA.

One of Betty’s original quilts, entitled “War Paint,” was presented to representatives of the museum at a ceremony on October 23 in Des Moines, IA. Amy’s assignment was to speak with, and get impressions from, people who have assisted Betty with Freedom Quilts. The resulting photos and oral history that was recorded will be part of the exhibit in the museum whenever “War Paint” is featured in the display rotation.

For two reasons, this August gathering of the Freedom Quilters seemed more subdued than previous work sessions. First, the women in attendance were curious and perhaps a bit nervous about speaking with a “big city” museum curator. It was not known what specific questions would be asked and many people aren’t comfortable speaking into a tape recorder.

Secondly, Betty made sure that all of the quilters kept quiet so as not to interfere with the interviews that were taking place in the kitchen area. The laughter and rambunctious conversation that normally accompanied their handiwork was conspicuously absent. Even though the ladies meet because of a serious reason -- making quilts for families who have lost loved ones in the terrorist attacks of 9/11 or since then in the war -- the quilters try to maintain a semblance of normal, everyday life when they gather to work.

At the fifth anniversary gathering at Ground Zero in New York City, Betty was asked if she would donate War Paint to the future 9/11 museum. When she agreed, it was determined that an oral history of those involved in Freedom Quilts would be recorded. Betty wanted museum visitors to understand how a group of women from a very small Midwestern town could set its mind to care about others half a continent away.

In her words, “War Paint stands for every one of us who care. War Paints stands for all those who have made a donation, given material, blocks, sewn, tied or helped in some way or another.”

Freedom Quilts is a project that will continue to care for grieving family members after others in their life have moved on. Betty concluded, “When War Paint is displayed, it will stand for each of us who stood proudly with caring hearts to help those who were mourning their loved ones.”

The quilters gathered in Varina will not soon forget their oral history experience. Their hope of renewed interest in Freedom Quilts’ mission was underscored in each interview.

Reprinted from SQE Professional, November 2007