September 11, 2001 – an historical day, an event so shocking, it brought this
entire nation to her knees.
Now, ten years later we are still, and perhaps will always be, on the journey to
healing. Our hearts will never forget the almost 3000 lives lost on September 11, 2001. We will forever
remember the husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, sisters, brothers, friends, and other loved ones
who have lived with the weight of this sudden and horrific loss. Time will not allow us to stand still as it is
ever marching forward, and if we allow it, will carry us on our healing journey. As we travel, it is important to
pause reflectively ever so often along the way, and commemorate. And so, reflectively and in loving memory, the
vision for The Freedom Quilt Experience was conceived.
Quilts have often found themselves in the midst of historical events as a symbol of
comfort, a keeper of secrets, a teller of stories and the embodiment of emotions of the artisans who create
them. Every shape and element of The Freedom Quilt Experience is reflective of journey. Our vision is that
The Freedom Quilt Experience will continually serve as a backdrop that will inspire discussions that lead to
solutions surrounding tolerance, acceptance and of course, healing.
The tragedy encompassing 9/11 also revealed a side of us that can only be exposed
through the light of extreme difficulties. The strength and resilience of the human spirit is something that can be
stretched, it can be bent, but it can never be broken. September 11, 2001 is a reminder that there are still
people who are willing to risk their lives to save others. It proved that even with all of our differences,
we have the ability to stand together as a nation. Most of all, it demonstrated to me that freedom is a
state-of-mind and not a state-of-condition. Cynthia Martin The Freedom Quilt Experience conceptual designer and Curator
