Threads of Hope: History You Can Hold in Your Hands

Some stories are spoken. Others are stitched — panel by panel, thread by thread — into something you can hold. This spring, students in the WKU Department of History did exactly that, and we at BRASS are deeply honored to be part of it.

Guided by Professor Kathryn Reetzke, her HIST 101 class created a collection of quilts telling the stories of historical women and the community care that binds people together. What began as a classroom assignment grew into something far larger: proof that history isn't found only in textbooks. It lives in the stories we carry, the communities we build, and the care we show one another.

After being displayed at the Kentucky Museum, the quilts were donated to support the work of BRASS, Inc. as we serve survivors of domestic violence across our ten-county region in south-central Kentucky. There's a quiet throughline in that choice: the same care that carried women through history now helps carry survivors forward.

On April 29, we gathered at the museum to celebrate the students' work:

Today, those quilts are still doing their work. They travel with our Mobile Advocacy Unit as it visits all ten counties we serve, on display at each ribbon cutting along the way — carrying these women's stories directly into the communities where survivors live.

In their own words

The heart of this project is the students themselves — what they chose to depict, and why. Here, in their own words, is the meaning behind their squares:

I chose to embroider a statue of a nurse holding a baby surrounded by lavenders and geraniums, which represent tranquility and tenacity. When creating it, I imagined the pride I felt in caring for my younger sister and young children within my neighborhood, feeling empowered by the community among us. I hope this image inspires strength, as women take pride in childcare, and community. =Liz Horn

I chose this image because it shows strength and love. The flexed arm stands for power, and the hearts add color and meaning. My square reminds me to stay strong. The hearts show the people and things that support me. I hope it gives the recipient confidence and comfort. I want them to feel strong and cared for when they see it. =Nakhyia Staten

The image I chose was a veil that represents the abuelitas de la Plaza de Mayo, a group of women who bravely advocated for the return of their families that had been disappeared by the Argentine dictatorship. I chose it because to me, it is a symbol of resistance and power from the people of my country, as well as a representation of hope in dark times and that they will never let something so terrible happen again. I hope that the recipient will see that even in dark times, you should never lose your voice and your power. =Diego Alcaraz-Monje

My quilt square demonstrates the symbol for the goddess of Freya, as well as specific colors that correlate with motherhood. For instance, pink symbolizes nurturing warmth and compassion, yellow symbolizes joy and optimism, blue symbolizes calmness and peace, and purple symbolizes wisdom and dignity. I chose this image because it reminds us how powerful women can be, and it represents a woman who is a goddess of love, fertility, and beauty. This quilt square means very much to me as it allows us to see that women have been strong and powerful for a long time, despite what many have said and experienced. I hope this quilt square will bring peace and confidence to the recipient, recalling that women deserve to be loved and cherished for all the work that they endure. =Hayden Gamberini

My quilt square is of an Egyptian female musician that was the leader of an all-female music group; I chose it because I felt like it demonstrated that women have always had the ability to be leaders. To me she represents joy, and the countless ways women can be talented and rise above sexist notions towards greatness and acclaim. I hope that the square can serve as a reminder to be proud of herself and her talents, and that she is capable of greatness regardless of her status or situation. =Ava Jarrell

With gratitude

Threads of Hope was a true partnership, and our thanks run deep: to the WKU Department of History and Professor Kathryn Reetzke, whose students poured heart and craft into every panel; to WKU Social Work, whose commitment to service and advocacy runs alongside our own; and to the Kentucky Museum for giving these stories a place to be seen and celebrated.

Projects like this remind us that ending domestic violence is a community effort. It takes educators and students, artists and advocates, neighbors and friends — all pulling the same thread toward a safer, more compassionate community.

See the quilts in person

These quilts began as a history lesson and became a gift to survivors. Catch them at an upcoming Mobile Advocacy Unit ribbon cutting near you — and learn how your support turns that same care into safety, dignity, and hope across our region.