2023 Black History Month

February is almost here and to honor Black History Month 2023, I will feature eight of "The Women" that bear witness to the accomplishments we specifically celebrate this month. February has been recognized by every president since 1976 as Black History Month. You will learn more about Katherine Johnson, Misty Copeland, Harriet Tubman, Ruby Bridges, Rosa Parks, Kamala Harris, Amanda Gorman and Stacey Abrams. My goal is to share why I chose to create felted replicas of these particular women. I'll share some behind the scenes of my felted creations along with the incredible history of these American women of importance. Please join me in celebrating these women and the contributions of so many other Black Americans.

Photography by Margaret Wolf Photography

The Diary of Anne Frank

In honor of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, I wanted to post my needle felting of Anne Frank’s diary. It is in its early stages. It will adorn the figure of Anne which I am currently working on. Anne’s diary is such an important symbol of resistance and resilience. It’s recognized around the world. She was just one of six million Jewish people killed by the Nazis.

My husband and I visited the home in Amsterdam where Anne Frank hid with her family during WW2 from Nazi persecution. (July 1942 until August 4, 1944). It was a heart breaking experience. I remember I kept thinking what if? What if she was able to hide for one more month? Survive the concentration camp? What other remarkable things would she have done? To have such an impact on the world all before you are 15 years old. I knew when I decided to create my needle felted collection Anne Frank would be part of “The Women.” I want to help the world keep her memory alive, with an important reminder that all people have the right to live in freedom.

Click here to see the original diary. For perspective, the needle felted diary I am creating is just a little larger than the size of a quarter. I need to add the lock and more beige strips to it. But it's coming along quite nicely.

I will post Anne Frank when I finish felting her. So, please check back here.

If you would like to learn more about Anne Frank and her last connection to freedom in the Secret Annex, visit the museum's site.

"Despite everything, I believe that people are really good at heart." – Anne Frank

Dr Susan La Flesche Picotte

Do you know this woman? You should!

Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte

Dr Susan La Flesche Picotte 1865-1913

Omaha Tribe Northeastern Nebraska

(born on reservation before Nebraska was a state)

I have lived in Omaha for 26 years. Up until two months ago I had not heard of Dr Picotte. I asked four native Nebraskans who also had not heard of her. Everyone should know about this remarkable woman. Recently she has been in the news because thankfully they are raising money to refurbish the hospital she built...in 1913 while terminally ill in Walthill, NE on the Omaha Indian Reservation.

As an eight year old child, Susan La Flesche sat by a suffering dying Indian woman‘s bedside waiting for a doctor, who had been call 4 times to care for her. The Doctor was out hunting. The woman died the following morning...the doctor never coming to see her . The lack of care haunted and stayed with her.

Dr La Flesche Picotte was the first Native American female doctor. Admitted to 1 of only 2 medical schools that accepted women at that time 31 years before women could even vote and 34 years before she was recognized as an “American.”

Born on the Omaha reservation in Northeastern Nebraska to the last recognized Chief Joseph La Flesche (Iron Eye). Her father instilled the importance of education in his family.

Graduating in 1889 at the age of 24 in Philadelphia 1 year early AND first in her class, she returned to the Omaha reservation and as the only doctor who cared for over 1000 people. She cared for her patients across 350 square miles by foot and horse drawn buggy. During her medical practice she promoted health education, focusing on tuberculosis and alcoholism for her tribe and caring for her patients, fought for native equality and women’s equality. The Doctor was a leader who pushed congressional lawmakers to recognize and safeguard Native peoples‘ legal rights, especially against land fraud. She inspired me to create her likeness with needle felting for these reasons.

Dr Susan La Flesche Picotte is a role model of resiliency and advocacy for all. Joe Starita’s book “A Warrior of the People: How Susan La Flesche Overcame Racial and Gender Equality to Become America’s First Indian Doctor” is on my list to learn even more about this amazing woman. Benjamin Victor is currently working on a bronze statue of Dr La Flesche Picotte. The sculpture will be dedicated on Lincoln's Centennial Mall on Oct. 11th, the first officially recognized Indigenous People’s Day in Nebraska. A hospital restoration project is underway to keep her legacy alive, backed by the Nebraska Medical Association. If you would like to donate I have supplied a link. 

Donate to Restore Dr. Picotte Memorial Hospital

Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte needle felted doll by Sylvia Phillips.

For more information on this dynamic woman, click the following links:

• The Des Moines Register

• Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte Center

• https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/incredible-legacy-susan-la-flesche-first-native-american-earn-medical-degree-180962332/

“My office hours are any and all hours of the day and night”. Dr La Flesche Picotte