The EmpowHER quilt exhibition: a patchwork of female leadership and empowerment
A patchwork of female leadership and empowerment.
What is EmpowHER?
Launched in 2018 to mark the centenary of women’s suffrage, EmpowHER was a youth-led project that ran for three and a half years. It was founded to inspire and empower young women and girls between the ages of 10 and 20 to lead change in their local communities.
EmpowHER also addressed the worryingly low levels of wellbeing among young women and girls. The project challenged limiting perceptions and engaged those who had never had opportunities to participate in meaningful social action. Projects included working with food banks and homeless charities, raising awareness of mental health issues and creating campaigns.
The EmpowHER quilt
Inspired by the Changi quilt made by women internees held in Changi prison during the Second World War, a group of EmpowHER participants and Youth Workers designed and created individual quilt patches. Representing what they felt it meant to be a woman or girl in 2021, the patches then were sewn together to create a large quilt. Each of the 66 patches shares inspiring messages of hope, strength, and encouragement, and the stories behind the patches are uplifting and empowering.
The EmpowHER quilt is now part of the British Red Cross Museum collection and is available to explore online.
EmpowHER quilt highlights
Kim's patch
Kim’s patch includes the quote 'she believed she could, so she did', to portray the strength and determination of the young women and girls she worked with.
Thea's patch
Thea was inspired by Ilhan Omar’s speech, saying 'I don't want a seat at the table, I want to ensure that we're continuously building new tables’.
Louise's patch
Louise has included Lily Tomlin's quote, 'I always wondered why somebody doesn't do something about that. Then I realised I was somebody'.
Kristie's patch
Kristie used positive words such as love, friends and hope. “These were things that helped me to stay positive during the Covid-19 pandemic”.
Saffiya's patch
Saffiya has included an outline of a face and the words ‘my body, my rules’ because she believes it's an important message to put out.
A participant's patch
This participant has included the phrase “your voice will change the world' and a megaphone to encourage young women to speak out.
Thank you to everyone in EmpowHER
The EmpowHER quilt was created by seamstress Alice Farrell with participants and Youth Workers of the EmpowHER programme
Participants' stories were collected by Georgia Allen (EmpowHER intern).
The online exhibition was curated by Mehzebin Adam-Suter (Museum and archives curator).
Thank you to all the amazing young women and girls, role models and incredible youth workers who made EmpowHER possible.
All images © British Red Cross Museum and Archives.
EmpowHER was funded by Spirit of 2012 and #iwillFund and was delivered in partnership by UK Youth, British Red Cross and the Young Women’s Trust.
You may also be interested in:
Black history is British history
Explore Black British history through our fascinating online exhibition of Black humanitarians at the British Red Cross.
Visiting our museum and archives
Find out about our exhibitions, tours, research visits and our other services.