2017 CIIP Program Book 2017 CIIP Program Book | Page 37

Community Partner: Monument Quilt
Intern: Isadora Schaller
Site Supervisors: Shanti Flagg
What is Monument Quilt?
The Monument Quilt is a crowd-sourced collection of thousands of
stories from survivors of rape and abuse. By stitching our stories
together, we are creating and demanding public space to heal.
"Red. Red is the color of just about everything in the Monument Quilt studio.
The color of the logo, banners hanging from the walls, lavender stress bags, and
of course, the quilts. There are hundreds of quilts surrounding the studio,
overflowing from boxes, and stacked on tables. Each of these quilts tells a story
of someone’s journey, their pain, and their survival.
FORCE and the Monument Quilt work to provide a public healing space for
survivors of sexual and domestic violence, and challenge the dominant culture
of rape in our society. Survivors, their loved ones, and supporters submit quilt
squares that detail their narrative of heartbreak, humiliation, suffering, or
healing. So often in our society, survivors are shamed into silence, their stories
hidden and banished to private settings. Monument Quilt provides a space
where survivors can share their emotions, free from judgment and persecution.
Today, the conversation about sexual assault has significantly grown and
expanded across the world. I am privileged to have a role in the movement to
create a new culture, one where survivors are publicly supported and consent is
imperative. Taking a step back to admire the progress that we as a society have
made gives me hope and the drive keep working towards a brighter future.
Working at Monument Quilt has been a truly incredible experience which has
expanded my ability to understand the intersectional forces impacting rape
culture in the United States, and the multi-faceted experience of survivors. I am
so grateful for the lessons I have learned this summer, and look forward to
continuing this work in my own life." -Isadora
• Cataloged new quilt submissions, adding to the
database and creating quilt blocks.
• Used basic sewing techniques to create quilts, in
addition to quilting my own square reflecting my
story.
• Managed Force’s social media, researching and
formatting weekly posts highlighting the Monument
Quilt and resources for self-care.
• Assisted with outreach for Force’s Hike for Healing
event, contacting universities across the county to
arrange events on campuses.
• Created scripts for Hike for Healing phone calls and
promotional videos.
37