Explore the quilt by clicking on the various elements

An interactive graphic of the quilt square. The linked information can also be found below.

Recurrent Themes: 

Resilience: 

The quilt captures the family’s resilience through symbols representing their ability to overcome challenges and hardships. Ruth Peoples’ dedication to raising her children as a single mother, her work with the NAACP, and Frances’s achievement as the first family member to attend college highlight the perseverance embedded in their family identity. This resilience is further symbolized by the farming imagery on the quilt, representing hard work and connection to the land as a foundation for survival and growth. 

Civil Service: 

Ruth Peoples’ work for the NAACP, where she encouraged local residents to vote and supported civil rights causes, exemplifies the family’s dedication to community and justice. The inclusion of the telephone, symbolizing Ruth’s activism, reflects her commitment to creating positive change. Additionally, the family’s participation in the lawsuit honors their bravery and willingness to stand up for their rights, reinforcing their legacy of civil service.

Generational Traditions: 

Generational traditions in the Peoples family are symbolized through food, music, and storytelling. Ruth’s baking and canning, Frances’ fond memories of sneaking pieces of her mother’s canned sausage, and the family’s recipes for cakes and breads represent traditions that connect past and present. Music also plays a key role, as Ruth’s singing and Frances’ memories of singing gospel songs with her brother Billy Douglass illustrate the family’s love for creativity and connection through shared experiences. 

Family Names:

Frances Peoples McKinney 

Summary: 

Frances Peoples McKinney recalls no memories of other family¹ members sharing the last name “Peoples” beyond her immediate household and her uncle. She lived with her mother, Ruth, and her brothers, forming a close-knit family unit. Despite this, the research committee felt it was important to honor and represent other individuals with the “Peoples” surname mentioned in the lawsuit, such as JT Peoples. This decision reflects our commitment to acknowledging the broader connections and complexities within the family’s history, even when direct ties might not be part of Frances’ personal memories. 

Symbolic Representation: 

● Image of Frances McKinney in High School in 1973 (4): Image accessible here.

• Taken from her yearbook from 1973, Frances McKinney’s photo is displayed prominently on the top right of the quilt block. With all the help, sacrifices, and contributions Frances McKinney has made for her children, her community, and the 23/54 project, displaying her photo in such a manner felt necessary and correct. Her character consistently demonstrates resilience, compassion, and selflessness as she perseveres in her educational journey despite numerous obstacles and sacrifices made for her four children.

● New River Community College (16): Image accessible here. 

• Frances attended the Calfee Training School from the 2nd to 4th grades, where she encountered difficulties with material and, to her, teachers who lacked compassion. As Frances’ journey through education was not as linear, she reflects more positively on her educational experiences later on in adolescence with teachers “who went the extra mile”. In her adult life, Frances broke new ground as the first in her family to attend college, earning a degree in Human Services. She now has four children and continues to carry the experiences of her early education, both the painful and positive, into her life and her testimony. Her achievement set a transformative example for her children, who also pursued higher education. This image symbolizes a new generation of learners inspired by Frances’s trailblazing path. 

1. google.com ↩︎