Quilts and Human Rights

Quilts and Human Rights by Marsha MacDowell, published by University of Nebraska Press in 2016, is an illustrated edition comprising 210 pages. This book offers a new understanding of the history of global human rights through the lens of textiles, particularly focusing on the quilt as a significant medium for awareness and activism. It explores how individuals and organized groups have utilized quilting to address various human rights issues over time and across different regions.

Readers will find a detailed examination of how quilts have served as a powerful tool for advocacy, highlighting critical topics such as suffrage, race relations, and discrimination based on ethnicity, gender, and sexuality. Quilts and Human Rights pays tribute to those who have harnessed their needle skills to raise awareness and inspire action against human rights violations. This edition provides a unique perspective on the intersection of crafts and political activism, making it a valuable resource for those interested in both the art of quilting and the ongoing struggle for human rights.