Quilting for Peace
One woman’s passion inspires a community

Linda Hasley

Never doubt that a small, group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.  Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.         ~Margaret Mead

As citizens of this world, we may often ask ourselves how we can make a difference in creating a more peaceful planet.  More often than not, that question remains unanswered and leaves us feeling disillusioned and powerless.  How can you or I possibly make a difference?  Dr. Stacey Francis of Farmington Hills, Michigan, may just have the answer she was looking for.  This is her story.

While taking a self-improvement class, Stacey was given an assignment to create a community project.  During the course, she met a Palestinian Muslim woman and they began a dialogue.  They discussed the uncomfortable feelings that Jews and Muslims often have for each other and shared their remorse.  A friendship was formed and Stacey decided to do her class project on peace.

Being a Chiropractic Kinesiologist by profession but a quilter at heart, Dr. Francis felt that a quilt would be the perfect medium for her message of peace.  Calling on her community, she asked that each person create a square for the quilt depicting what peace means to them.  Thus the Peace Quilt was born.

“The Peace Quilt reflects many kinds of peace,” she says.  “Peace within ourselves, peace with our family, peace with our neighbors and peace for the world.  I hope this quilt inspires people to look kindly upon each other and themselves.  It all starts with the person in the mirror.”

The Peace Quilt shimmers with 117 pieces from all parts of her community - families, businesses, individuals, churches, and synagogues.  Poems, pictures and drawings of peace grace this beautifully handcrafted quilt.

When asked if she felt this project made a difference in the world, she said, “I was glad to do this much but there is so much more to be done in the name of peace.  Practicing integrity and accountability help us have peace within ourselves.  Acceptance and understanding is the way to form bonds with neighbors, and not being silent to atrocities in our own backyard, as well as around the globe, will lead us to be a stronger, united world.”

One of Stacey’s favorite quotes “Be the change you wish to see in the world” by Gandhi, can inspire us all to envision a world of peace; a world where each person’s idea of peace combines with another person’s idea and we each do our part to collectively blanket the world in harmony.

For more information on the Peace Quilt or if you would like to have it displayed in your community, please contact Stacey Francis at StaceyFrancisDC@aol.com

Linda Hasley is a staff writer for HGJ and co-author of the book “Sacred.”  For book information visit www.sacredportraitsphotography.com or you can contact her at lhasley123@aol.com