So today I shared an article on the BAQS Fb page. The article was about Mary Englebreit and how she is using her amazing art skills to shine bright light into the dark corners of our world.
She is stepping out from behind her “always happy” brand and getting real about injustice, equality and her personal dissatisfaction with the current leadership of our country.
She is speaking her truth both in person and on paper and I for one could not be more thrilled and wanted to share it with my readers. Of course there were a handful of negative nellies who got their panties in a wad and chastised me for “bringing politics into a quilting group”. Ummm, it is like they don’t know me, so I thought this would be yet another great time to make things clear.
BAQS has never shied away from the tough parts of living in community and has always been flamingly liberal, outspoken and NEVER just about quilting.
And here is a secret … I don’t plan on stopping now so if this is not your cup of tea it is time for you to head for the door.
So once more for the folks in the back!
As I once said, I am no good at staying quiet (duh) when I see things that are wrong. What I am good at is standing on a high rock and shouting out that I SEE YOU.
I see you quilters who are progressive, justice minded, caring, freaked out, devastated and wondering how to make a real difference during a time that is making the Handmaid’s Tale looking more like a documentary than a dystopian fictional tale.
I SEE YOU and want you to know that you are an important part of a movement that takes quilting away from those who choose to use it like a weapon to beat women and men back to time where coming out, speaking out and living your truth was not an option.
I SEE YOU and I will continue to use my voice, my words and my platform to move us forward as a people who matter and I welcome you to join me.
BadAss Quilters Society is a liberal stronghold in the quilting world. We do not tolerate injustice, or exclusion based on nationality, or sexuality. We believe that Love Always Wins and being BadAss while scary as hell some days, is totally worth it.
It’s good to be a badass
GOOD JOB!! Keep at it! We need more ladies like you!
Thank you Maddie and Mary for speaking the truth!
i so want to be a member of the badass quilters society xxoo
I have been a baqs devotee ever since I saw your poster stating: Just make the fucking quilt. Keep up the good work
Keep it up! I’m right there shouting with you!
YESSSSSS!!!!
I’m a loud liberal who is serious about social justice and quilting. Could I join?
awesome!
Love you, Maddie!! Keep up the good work!!
Fabulous. Go girl.
Where. Do. I. Sign. Up. This is the most refreshing thing I have read in months. God bless you.
Yeah, Maddie!
Maddie, another one of my quilting SHeros!
Right on Maddie!
FYI: wore my BadAss hoodie to the doughnut shop today where a group of old farts (who have become friends) has coffee every morning. After usual chitchat, one asked, “What’s the badge for?” He could only see part of the scissors so I straightened up and the whole group exploded as they read ‘BadAss Quilters Society.’ No one asked in particular what it meant but they all clapped Rod (my husband) on the back and congratulated him! I guess being married to a BadAss quilter is somehow admirable!
I will be standing beside you on that rock.
Yusssss Queen!!
You shout and you roar and hear the echo of your band of BadAss misfits roaring in support
And that’s what makes this group BadAss! Time to go buy some Mary Engelbreit and support the Drag Queens story hour at the Pocatello Public Library!
Maddie, I’m glad you posted this. The badass creed on our key fobs…I ask everyone who asks me about BAQS read it. If they think we are just a fun and funny group of humorous quilters they’ve got another think coming. I personally have found a HOME here. I am so happy I saw that .25 sticker on the back of a car at the Walmart at Turkey Creek in Knoxville all those years ago. You and BAQS have helped me find my voice. And I’m never going back. Peace.
Abso-fucking-lutely.
I love you and all you stand for!!! I’m behind you 100%!
OH hell yeah…that is why I am still here (and I re-shared that Mary Engelbreit post…I expect to lose a few more fans today….but I don’t GAF!)
Good for you! We need more people who fight for what is right. I’m horrified by the intolerance and fake Christian positions. And I’m a quilter who works to help others.
This old lady says thank you for continuing the fight for our rights.