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The film chronicles the lives of ordinary women as well as individuals such as Harriet Tubman, Elizabeth Keckley, Frances Willard and Abigail Scott Duniway through the great 19th century events: industrialization, abolition, the Civil War, westward movement, temperance and suffrage.

For nineteenth century women, quilts were the podium, the pulpit and the judges' gavel, which their society denied them.  Their quilts speak the language of abolition, patriotism, politics, social justice and westward expansion.  

...Important as well as entertaining for all those who want to understand nineteenth-century American history.
Dr. Glenna Mathews
Historian, University of California, Irvine

A beautifully crafted film. It explores women's history, U.S. social history, folk art, and music, and is a glorious memorial to our persevering foremothers. An essential purchase for public libraries.
Margaret Wyatt
AV Librarian, San Francisco Public Library

One of the most interesting films I've seen in recent years. Beautifully structured--a new form for telling history.
William Sloan
Film Librarian, Museum of Modern Art, New York

A quality production for public libraries, colleges and universities. Our patrons loved QUILTS IN WOMEN'S LIVES and now we're proud to offer them HEARTS AND HANDS.
Sandra Koontz
Director, State AV Center, Kansas

Absorbing and professionally executed, this sweeping documentary examines the role of women in shaping America from the days of emerging industrialization to westward expansion. Exquisite...painstakingly crafted...for schools, libraries and museums.
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AWARDS & SCREENINGS:

• PBS, American Experience
• Blue Ribbon, American Film and Video Festival
• Crystal Apple, National Educational Film and Video Festival
• Best Fine Arts, San Francisco Film Festival

Resource Web Sites

Quilt Exhibitions and Museums