“Humans can be so
unkind to one another
and I needed a way to
remember that there
are plenty of people out
there working for good.”
—Margaret WilliamsMargaret Williams from Tucker, Georgia, created pieces
about Jimmy Carter and Nelson Mandela. Margaret said,
“The project gave me a chance to focus on hope. Humans
can be so unkind to one another and I needed a way
to remember that there are plenty of people out there
working for good.” Margaret placed Jimmy Carter on a
background of Log Cabin squares to honor his work with
Habitat for Humanity. Hidden pictures in the piece invite
closer inspection.
This challenge allowed me to graphically tell a story
of my paternal grandmother’s long road to her fi rst and
only vote at the age of 84. It was a tale that I had longed
to share for quite some time. As I thought of her and
the other people of advanced ages that it has been my
privilege to know, I realized there had to be a piece about
the fading rights of all of us as we age. So, I created “We’re
Still Here” showing an elderly couple walking away down
a path toward a waterfall.Each time I issue a call I envision
what I hope will be in the collection,
and every time I’m surprised and
delighted by the works submitted.
It was essential to allow the rights
of everyone to be represented in
this exhibit. Pieces advocated for
the rights of people of all colors,
nationalities, persuasions, and
genders. Heroes—such as Rosa
Parks, Jimmy Carter, and Mahatma
Gandhi—who have worked to better
the world for others are honored.
Perhaps the personal story that tugs
at our hearts the most is not his story
or her story or their story—it is OUR
story.“We’re Still Here” • Susanne Miller Jones
Potomac Falls, Virginia
“Becoming Ryleigh” • Birgit Ruotsala
Green Bay, Wisconsin
“Seeds of Hatred” • Tanya Brown
Sunnyvale, California