Black Women Stitch Liberation

A Presentation by Lisa Woolfork

This talk explores how Black women use sewing as a means of liberation, self-determination, and creative expression. Rooted in the understanding, as Alexis Pauline Gumbs reminds us, that "freedom is not a secret, it is a practice," sewing emerges as both a critical apparatus and a liberatory strategy. Engaging in Audre Lorde's assertion that the master's tools will not dismantle the master's house, I position needle and thread as tools of resistance, resilience, and radical self-fashioning. The presentation examines how historical and contemporary Black stitchers have created meaning and connection through their craft, even in the face of systemic oppression. 

By theorizing sewing as a practice that rewards detailed attention and embodies self-care, bodily autonomy, and joy, my work offers a Black-centered analysis of how needle arts communicate strategies of survival and liberation. Through personal narratives, archival research, and interviews with contemporary Black craftswomen, I trace the evolution of these practices from the nascent home-sewing industry to today's vibrant landscape of Black creativity. Ultimately, this presentation argues that sewing is more than a craft—it is a way of reading the archives, documenting ongoing artistry, and imagining a freer, more self-determined future. 

This talk will be livestreamed via Zoom. Click here to pre-register for Zoom attendance.

Lunch will be provided. Kindly RSVP by Friday, March 21st.