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Women's World Summit Foundation

 

http://www.woman.ch/women/laureates08/laureates-america-1.php

 

Prize for Women's
Creativity in Rural Life

"Promoting Women’s rights"

The Americas - Costa Rica

East Mountain Quilters


Quilting for a new quality of life

Quilting has enabled the women of the tiny pueblo of Rancho Redondo (high in the mountains of Costa Rica and many of whom are living in abusive situations with alcoholic husbands in houses with no electricity, dirt floors and only the very basic necessities of life) to become enlightened business women with their own board of directors and broad international recognition of their skills.

Thanks to an American citizen living in Costa Rica who had expressed interest in teaching pueblo women to quilt, Carolyn Underwood, around 50 women gathered in May 2004 for a first lesson. Meeting weekly, sometimes even 2-3 times a week for 17 months, they made rapid progress. They had to overcome great challenges, including the suspicion and doubts of their husbands and families, in order to attend classes. Some arose at 3 AM. to prepare meals for the day before leaving.

In November 2004, only five months after starting, they were invited to be the first quilters exhibit at the ‘International Week of Coffee’ in the capital. They were an immediate hit. From then on success came rapidly, and this year (2008) the entire group will be travelling to Houston’s International Quilt Market (USA), the largest of its kind in the world.
What is important, however, is the profound empowerment of these women who for the first time stand up individually and as a group to oppose injustice and abuse in all its forms in their community, something which is practically unheard of by former uneducated women in Costa Rica. They contribute time, money, efforts and talent to community projects. They have learned to work together as a group, listening to and respecting each other. The enhancement of these women’s lives has impacted the entire community, including economically. Their quilts sell all around the world. Last but not least they have begun donating 2 per cent of their annual income to non-profit organizations in their immediate area.

 





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