A Simple Request for an Act of Kindness for Michelle

It is said that no one truly knows a nation until one has been inside its jails.  -Nelson Mandela 

In one of Frank Baum's Oz books, Dorothy winds up in prison in Oz and is treated to luxury, kindness and warm cookies. When she asks why, the guard says, "Why would we treat people meanly when we want them to be kind?" The prison system in the U.S. often runs counter to this notion of kindness and rehabilitation.

I have been corresponding with women being held in the Ohio Reformatory for Women since July 2009. I traveled to Maryville, Ohio, to interview some of the women there who had participated in a special quilt exhibit, Beyond the Barrier, at Sacred Threads. I have watched as these women have grown and made life changes. Many of the women, including Michelle, made bad choices especially with the men they married which is why they are incarcerated. Michelle is going through an especially tough time right now. I am hoping that you will take a moment and send her a store bought card or even one of your holiday cards. Don't include anything handmade. If you want to include something, include a postage paid envelope and no, you can't send an envelope with a stamp on it. If you do, it will get thrown away and possibly get her in trouble. I think knowing that people care makes a huge difference. Don't expect that you will hear back from her unless you send an envelope. She is paid less than a dollar an hour, must pay for her own medications (she has several health issues) and things like socks, winter coats, etc. Thanks.

Michelle Owens 57937

Ohio Reformatory for Women Rgl 209T

1479 Collins Ave

Marysville, OH 43040-8808

Quilting in Prison

Quilting in prisons came up as a discussion on the Quilt Art list and Beyond the Barrier, a special exhibit at Sacred Threads, was mentioned.  Beyond the Barrier, special exhibit at Sacred Threads, was a one time and wonderful project initiated by Vikki Pignatelli at the Ohio Reformatory for Women in Marysville, Ohio. The chaplain ran the actual program but she did not actually teach the women to quilt even though she is a quiltmaker herself. Her role is spiritual. I think one important thing to know is that the women were not allowed to keep their quilts. They either had to pay for them to be shipped home (or wherever) or the quilts were put into storage.

For years while I was a volunteer with Quilters' S.O.S. - Save Our Stories(Q.S.O.S), an oral history project for the Quilt Alliance, I had tried to add interviews from inmates without success. I was very happy when in 2009 ORW and the Franklin Prelease Center in Columbus allowed me to interview six of the women who had participated in Beyond the Barrier and I did so over a two day period. You can read the interviews here. I was given a small grant to pay for transcribing the interviews. I personally paid for the rest.

One of the conditions from the warden was that I had to begin each interview by having the women explain why they were incarcerated. Before the tape recorder was turned on, I did explain to the women that this was not the focus of the interview and they did not need to go into a lot of detail. The assistant to the warden sat in on all the interviews conducted at ORW. The interview I did with Tangy Thomas at the FPC, I was alone with her.  I cried during almost all of the interviews. I did not require the women to hold an ID sign during the photography as was usually required by the Q.S.O.S. project. I wanted this to be as positive of an experience as I could make it.

ORW has the "Stitching Post" where women in the prison can work and earn money (15 cents an hour). I was impressed that everyone in the prison is encouraged to work.  One of the activities in the Stitching Post is making quilts for charitable organizations from donations from outside the prison. Some of the organizations provide batting and backs but most do not. The quilts are generally simple and minimally quilted. The focus is quick production NOT creativity or even precision. None of the women in the exhibition presently work in the Stitching Post. Other activities include crocheting, knitting and making special shirts for military personnel who have lost arms.

I still correspond with four of the women. Joy Major's conviction for murder has been over-turned. She always claimed to be innocent of the murder of her husband. She is no longer at ORW and the facility where she is now allows her to create personal quilts which she is doing. She is writing a book which she hopes to get published once she is released. Teresa is studying hard to get her GED. She passed the pretest with flying colors so I don't think she will have a problem. I see her confidence level increasing each time I hear from her. Rosa is in a drug program so that once she is released, she will hopefully not fall back on bad habits. Rosa is Mexican and will be deported the minute she is released. I have promised to help her as much as I can after her release because she lives in a very poor region of Mexico which was why she was dealing drugs in the first place. Michelle is trying to exercise to loose some weight and waiting for a transfer to a prison closer to family. Ronda (pictured with her quilt) will never be released from prison. She coaches a basketball team and sells her artwork to support mission work. I have found all the women to be open and honest about why they are in prison. All want to make a difference when they are released. Few have had many positive things in their lives. I try to be one.

I worked hard to get another project like Beyond the Barrier for the women at ORW without success. I am convinced that having these kinds of projects in prisons changes lives. However, I am acutely aware of the pain of the victims of their crimes as I have been contacted by a few of them.

Being in two different prisons was a real eye opener. ORW does not look like a bad place. There are gardens all around. However, the constant view of razor wire, crowding and lack of freedom was ever present. It makes me count my blessings.

Several people have asked me about sending messages to the women but not waiting to write them themselves. Just leave a comment and I'll send them for you. Thanks!

Sharing More Information

Wow!  Thanks to everyone who has emailed me with questions. I will try to do better next time.

Sacred Threads is an exhibition of quilts exploring the subject themes of spirituality, joy, inspiration, peace/brotherhood, grief and healing. This biennial exhibition was established to provide a safe venue for quilters of all faiths who see their work as a connection to the sacred and/or as an expression of their spiritual journey.

Beyond the Barrier was the name of the special exhibit at Sacred Threads that some women at the Ohio Reformatory for Women participated.

I encourage you to visit both sites to learn more and see all the quilts.

I was very committed to having Quilters' S.O.S. - Save Our Stories, an oral history project of the Alliance for American Quilts, reflect the entire quilt community which is why I traveled to the Ohio Reformatory for Women to document the quiltmaking that occurred there. I was able to document 6 of the quiltmakers (Tangie Thomas was no longer at ORW so I went to Franklin Pre-Release Center to interview her) and Chaplain Jamie Burns. You can read all 7 interviews in the Ohio Reformatory for Women Q.S.O.S. project. I have corresponded with all the women and have gotten quite close to three of them.

I have pitched another exhibition idea to the ORW and hopefully will have news by the middle of the week. I believe strongly that one way to help recidivism is to provide opportunities for self expression which increases self-esteem. I believe in that making quilts can be life changing.

Houston!

The Alliance for American Quilts is going to have an exhibit of 15 quilts from people who were interviewed for Quilters' S.O.S. - Save Our Stories this fall at International Quilt Festival in Houston, Texas. I was thrilled to discover that Rosa Angula's quilt was selected. I interviewed Rosa. Her quilt was originally for a special exhibit for Sacred Threads. Rosa is in the Ohio Reformatory for Women for drug possession and drug trafficking. She is a citizen of Mexico. This was her first quilt. I was hoping her quilt was still at ORW and that Rosa would agree to lend the quilt. I discovered that Rosa had sent it to her daughter. And while Rosa agreed to loan the quilt is expressed that she was ashamed about where she was and that her quilt did not deserve to be included. To that I said, "Nonsense!" as did the Administrative Assistant to the Warden. I was able to connect with Glenda who was delightful. She has agreed to send the quilt. I can only hope that this opportunity will help Rosa's self esteem and quiltmaking will continue to provide her with opportunities once she is out of prison and back in Mexico.

What it Takes

I'm going to admit that while I dreamed of documenting quiltmakers who were in prison, I never thought much beyond the mission. Now I'm learning just how tough it is to have a quilt program in a prison. I'm learning a new way of thinking and looking. There are reasons that things like needles and fabric pose a threat. Let's start with needles. Needles are used for tattooing. You might think this is no big deal except there is a lot of Hepatitis C in prison which can be spread easily by sharing needles. Fabric can be used to make clothing to be worn after escaping or used as a means of escaping. The Ohio Reformatory for Women only allows inmates to have fabric that is 10 inches square or less. I'm not discouraged. Just learning the ropes and thinking, thinking, thinking.

Heard From Michelle!

Today in the mail was a letter from Michelle! She shared her appreciation for being in Sacred Threads and my interviewing her. Not much else. Unlike the other letters I have gotten there were no questions or any indication that she wanted me to write back. I find each letter to confirm things I felt when I interviewed them. I've written a letter so we shall see if we hear anymore from Michelle. She does want to make more quilts to give as gifts to her family. I have no idea how much long she has to serve. Michelle is in for knowing about crimes her husband committed. She did not commit any of the crimes and her husband has fallen in love with another woman. Again, I am so surprised the she is not bitter. A little angry but not bitter. Wonder what tomorrow's mail will bring.

Heard from Joy!

Today in the mail was a letter from Joy and just like her name so was her letter. I want to share some of her words with you. "My quilt only expressed my thought on long term incarceration and how important it is to live a celebrated female life. I'm glad to read the feedback because even though I had several positive comments, I felt oddly embarrassed with my verbal communication." Isn't she amazing!

I also need to share with you that after twelve "difficult" years and many appeals, she has been proven innocent of the murder of her husband. Her attorney has filed a petition for a Writ of Habeas Corpus. She expects a decision soon. She also wants to make a quilt about her the next chapter in her life. I hope she writes me again. There is no bitterness in her. I'm not sure that I could be as forgiving and serene as Joy. She signed off with this wish to me--"May your future be colored by the warm fabric of compassion, compelling texture of community and stitched with the rich thread of life." I wish this for her and you, too.

Letter from Ronda!

In yesterday's mail was a letter from Ronda! I had written all the women who I interviewed a thank you note and have been in the process of sending them the feedback and comments on their quilts. So I have to admit I have been disappointed that I had not heard from any of them. Getting the letter from Ronda was exciting and still was even after I read it. Written in small handwriting in the darkness of her cell at 1 a.m., she asked me 20 questions. And some of them were down right tough! "If you had to describe yourself in 5 words, what 5 words would you use?" "What thing do you take for granted that you wouldn't have o be able to do if you were locked up in prison?" "Tell me the most beautiful place you have ever been." "What lifts you up when you are down?" I spent more than 3 hours and seven pages to answer her. I also sent her a couple of photos of my recent quilts (she asked). I worry that the answers about my religion might not sit well with her. Time will tell. I knew when I met her that she was going to cause me to stretch and grow and her letter proved that to be true. If you want to read what I posted about Ronda, you can click below on Ohio Reformatory for Women and find info there or check my July 30th entry. For now, I will anxiously await another letter.

Tangie's birthday

Tangie Thomas' birthday is the 17th. I'm asking you to send her a birthday card. Don't include anything inside. We don't want to get her into trouble, we just want to provide her with a little sunshine. Pay close attention to the address because if you don't the card will be returned to you. Make sure you include her ID number.

Tangie Thomas #64688
Franklin PreRelease Center
1800 Harmon Ave
Columbus, OH 43223

Thanks!

Rhonda Edwards

I liked Rhonda the minute she walked into the room. I could feel her energy and intensity. She was my last interview of the day. As with all the women, I asked why she was in prison and was a little worried when she simply stated, "Murder. That's why I'm here. Now can we talk about the quilt." However, once she started talking about her quilt, all my worries went away. The quilt is divided in two. One side show her before she was in prison and the other side is her in prison. She has found religion since being in prison. Although she does share that she always went to church even if she was also carrying a gun. She was open, honest and passionate. I also find it interesting that she too created a two-sided quilt. On the back of hers is a painting she did on canvas.

It is clear from her quilt that Rhonda has a lot of talent. It just saddens me that she was not given the opportunity to use it. Her childhood was not an easy one. I can't imagine being one of 14 kids, living in an efficiency apartment with an aunt with no air conditioning in Columbus, Ohio. Add to all that and being gay.

Rhonda was the only one who asked me questions after the interview. I truly wish we could have had more time together but then that is true of all the women. Rhonda did ask for "honest" feedback about her quilt, how to make the next one better, what I did, why doing the interviews was important to her. She was to be a preacher and I asked her why making quilts could not be a part of her mission. This made her pause and she promised to think about it. Writing this I also realize that I'm still not finished processing all that happened to me in prison or the grieving that I am doing for these women.

Some More Information

I've been asked questions so I thought I would answer them here in case others are also curious. The quilts were done by hand. I am not sure how much instruction they had with actual quilting since most of the quilts were not quilted. Michelle had made quilts before so she hand quilted the 12 angels on her quilt.

The prison opened a new building and so their was a lot of moving. The women were the ones that did the moving so this took away from the time they had to work on their quilts. I also think there was a lot of fear about actually finishing. I've noticed that with my students. Finishing comes judgment in many people's minds.

The women do not get to keep their quilts. However, they are being sent to their families.

We cannot send them packages. Prisoners are only allowed so many packages a year. They cannot be sent directly but must come from a service. I wish it was different but this is the reality of prison.

The Stitching Post does make charity quilts for many different organizations. Rosa is involved and it brings her much joy and comfort. If you want to know more or would like to make a donation, I have information and a wish list. Just email me at karenmusgrave@sbcglobal.net and I'll send you the info. I only ask that you include a note that tells "Karen provided this connection" or something to that effect. I want them to know where the information came that got the donation so that they see the connection/ripple effect of allowing me to do the interviews.

I did not ask questions concerning details of their crimes for a couple of reasons. The first being I didn't really care and the other being that it was not the reason I was there.

The uniforms have different collar colors to indicate whether the inmate is new, adjusted, a troublemaker, etc. and pants. Pregnant inmates where jumpers. The only time I did not see inmates in the blue uniforms was when I was in the dog rescue/training barracks. There the women wore brown t-shirts.

The women have been given copies of their transcriptions with the photos and have seen their particular interview online. Elizabeth Wright, Administrative Assistant to the Warden, has done this. She shares with me how excited the women are when they get their copy and see it online. I personally mailed Tangie hers.

I will continue to mail comments to them for as long as people leave comments.

While this was both physically, mentally and emotionally hard on me, I am so glad I did it and I would do it again if given the chance. I don't think these interviews are the whole story of quilts being made in prison.

Tangie Thomas

I had to travel to the Franklin Pre-Release Center in Columbus to interview Tangie. There are so many parts of her story that are just sad. First, she's in prison because someone stubbed her son in the eye and into his frontal cortex. He was part of the Army Reserve and was waiting to be shipped out. The man who did it was not punished. Her son is not the same and lives in a nursing home. Tangie admits that when she ran into the man who was also threatening on of her daughters that she lost it.

The quilts title is "A Mother's Dream Shattered and Broken." She did not get to finish her quilt due to her transfer to Franklin. Michelle Owens did a small amount of quilting so it could get into Sacred Threads. I thought it was sweet that Michelle did not want to put too much of herself into the quilt. Tangie does have plans for more images for the quilt. It is also another two-sided quilt.

Tangie speaks so passionately about her son that it brought tears to my eyes. I didn't have the quilt with me but I felt it was important to have a photo of her included. She didn't smile the first time. The Franklin Pre-Release Center is not at all like the Ohio Reformatory for Women. It is very instituational feeling. I felt terrible that she had to be "patted down" after talking with me. So many things we take for granted.

Anyway, Tangie had help with her quilt. Her friend Jena did the painting for her and I hope you agree that she did an amazing job. The quilt will hang in her son's room at the nursing home. I hope it brings comfort.

None of Us is Separate

I've gotten a few e-mails telling me that I should be using my time in a "better" way than trying to help the quiltmakers in the Ohio Reformatory for Women. I would never think to tell someone what she should not do something. I do believe in interdependency and that creating art puts good energy into the world. I hope you agree that the world needs as much positive energy as we can muster. Last night I was reading something that I thought spoke to exactly how I feel. Don't you love when that happens? It's from Buddhist teacher and philosopher Joanne Macy in her book World as Lover, World as Self, she says:

"I used to think that I ended with my skin, that everything within the skin was me and everything outside the skin was not. But now you've read these words, and the concepts they represent are reaching your cortex, so the "process" that is me now extends as far as you. And where, for that matter, did this process begin? I certainly can trace it to my teachers, some of whom I never met, and to my husband and children, who give me courage and support to do the work I do, and to the plant and animal beings who sustain my body..."

I love the idea that we are a continuing process of energy exchanges. I just want mine to be a positive as possible.

Michelle Owens

Michelle walked into the interview confidently. She is the only woman who claimed to be innocent of the charges against her. Her husband actually committed the crimes and she was charged with accessory after the fact. Michelle was "saved" while in county jail. I thought it was interesting that she did not like people who got "jail house" religion. She asked if she could remove her glasses because she "hates" them. She is also the only one that requested that I retake her photo and the only one that posed. Several people have told me that they were unable to finish reading her interview which only proves that the attitude I was picking up from her came off in the interview. All of this said, I did like her.

I was impressed that she figured out how to dye her background using paint and dipping it in a bucket until she got the look she wanted. I love the dimensionality of her piece. It certainly reflects her feelings and her faith. I also love that it is a two-sided quilt.


I cannot help feeling sorry for her. Her husband has found someone new. I know this would make be a little bitter especially if I was serving time because of the one I love. She did tell me she had just found this out and had spent the entire day before crying. Again, this just keeps me thinking about the choices we all make.

Teresa Romano

I sensed a sadness and a sweetness to Teresa the minute she walked in the room and both proved true. She was soft spoken and a little shy in the beginning but came to life as she talked about creating her quilt. This is her first quilt. I think the thing that impressed me the most was her desire to tell the stories of her life. She shared that she is not a very good writer but she thinks she can tell her stories with quilts. I can only hope she gets the chance. I also thought it was interesting that she created her quilt from the outside in. She started with the border.

I think the other thing that shocked me was to discover that Ohio does not have a self-defense law so she is serving a sentence for manslaughter. People have been asking me why I didn't ask more questions concerning what they did, why they did it, etc. I was encouraged by the prison to ask why they were there and I was happy that I could. It is part of their story and the story of their quilt. However, it was not the reason I was there. I tried hard not to show anything but openness which was hard. I try hard when I do interviews to keep myself out of it.

I always show everyone their photos to make sure that they are happy and I can't believe both of us missed that she had her eyes closed. I truly wish I could go back and retake the photos because she has such nice eyes.

Rosa Angulo

Rosa is from Mexico so when she is finished serving her 10 year sentence, she will be deported. Rosa cried when she talked about being away from her daughters so of course I cried. She has not seen them in 3 1/2 years which I simply cannot imagine. Communication with them is also difficult. She knows that she let her daughters down by the choices she made and she is using her time in prison well. Rosa is the black bird in her quilt. The "ribbons" represent the razor wire that surrounds the prison.

Since making this quilt, Rosa now works in the Community Stitching Post making quilts. I got to see her working there. The Stitching Post is an amazing place full of lots of community service activity and the women working there that pride in their work and their contribution and ability to help those in need. I'll blog more on this soon.

Rosa is from the Sinaloa region of Mexico. She is from a small village and the nearest larger city is Guasave. I have agreed to help Rosa once she is released because she is going to need support. If you know anyone near Rosa's village that could be a positive role model and help her, please get in touch with me.

Joy Major

I liked Joy from the minute we met. She smiled openly and while nervous seemed very much at peace with herself. I could not have asked for a better first interview. While filling out the paperwork, she asked if she had to use her prison or real name. She was sentenced with her married name but does not wish to use it which is understandable. Of course, I told her she could use any name that she wanted. She was also quite nervous about her speaking ability. I can assure you that this simply is not the case as you will discover when you read her interview .


The prison wanted me to ask each woman to explain why she was there and I agree that this is a part of their story which needed to be included. However, this was not my focus nor was I there to judge. None of women consider themselves good quiltmakers. They all had weak hand shakes. Except for Joy, who has been in prison the longest (more than 12 years), all took a while to look me in the eye. I hugged each women when we were done. Joy especially appreciated the hug and expressed surprise that I would do so. I hope you will leave comments for Joy about her quilt. I promised each woman that I would share what the quilt world thinks of their quilts. I told them that the quiltmakers are the best people in the world and that they would be judged on their quilt's ability to express and not the place that they have to call home.

Ohio Reformatory for Women

I'll admit that I have always heard different music than most and that this "vacation" is odd even for me. I spent Monday at the Ohio Reformatory for Women in Marysville, Ohio interviewing quiltmakers there. Their quilts were featured in a special exhibit called "Beyond the Barrier" at Sacred Threads. It has been a dream of mine to document this part of quilt history for more than 5 years.

The prison was built in 1916 on about 257 acres of land. Approx. 2,500 women call this place "home." There is a long driveway and visitors must enter from the side. I truly didn't know what to expect. I was meant by two wonderfully humorous guards who put me at ease. My bags were searched. I had to go through a metal detector, surrender my driver's license and have my right hand stamped before being admitted to the prison. I spent most of my day in the original prison which is made of limestone and reminds me of something you would see on a college campus. Actually the whole place felt more like a college campus except for the fence of razor wire.
Elizabeth Wright, Administrative Assistant to the Warden, is a delightful 33 year old woman who has dedicated her life to public service. She sat in on the interviews and was most helpful. She also gave me a tour which helped me further understand the place. I think one of the best things that I can say about the place is that everyone works and there are truly a variety of things to do from making quilts for charity to cosmetology to dog training to flag making to caring for injured wildlife. Don't get me wrong, I still wouldn't want to live there. However, it is a place where women can be rehabilitated and get the skills to be successful once they are released.

I did six interviews including one with the Chaplain who oversaw the program. It was an emotionally draining day. I'm still processing all I saw and heard so be patient with me. I will be sharing shows with you over the next week or so. Gratefully, Karen