Ethnic Gathering: Sisters of the Yam Opportunity Quilt

The Sisters of the Yam Quilters, in honor of the guild’s partnership with the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia, has presented the museum with Opportunity Quilt 2009: Ethnic Gathering to raffle off for the benefit of the museum.

The quilt contains 80 log cabin blocks. Overall size of the quilt is 84” x 97”. The quilters divided the task of making the individual blocks, which were then sewn together and assembled with batting and a coordinating fabric back.

This is the fifth quilt the guild has donated for the benefit of the museum. The guild, established in August 2001, meets on a regular basis at the museum. Sisters of the Yam, African American Quilters Guild, currently consists of 11 members.

The purpose of the guild is to foster the art of quilting as it relates to the experience of African American women both past and present. All members of the guild are active members of the museum and have a working knowledge of basic sewing techniques.

The name of the guild is in tribute to a book by bell hooks – “Sisters of the Yam: Black Women and Self Recovery” as an affirmation of the ability to self-heal. Yam is a healing root in African culture; the group’s philosophy is that through quilting and handwork the individual has the power to self heal and to persevere through the bad times.

Visitors can view the quilt Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. The quilt will be on display through March 22, 2009. Drawing will be held March 23, 2009. Tickets are on sale at the museum for $5.00 each and three (3) for $10.00. They are also available by mail. Send a check payable to the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of VA. Please address to

The Black History Museum & Cultural Center of VA
Attention: M. Lauderdale,
P.O. Box 61052,
Richmond, VA 23261.

Please include a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

The Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia collects and exhibits artifacts and objects that serve to illustrate the history of Black peoples, with an emphasis on Virginians. The Museum is open daily, Tuesday-Saturday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $3 for children 12 and under; members are free. For more information, call 804-780-9093.