Rothko Chapel presents quilt honoring survivors of rape, sexual abuse

By Monica Rhor Updated 1:31 pm CST, Tuesday, February 20, 2018

The Monument Quilt, organized by the Baltimore-based activist collective FORCE, tells the stories of survivors of sexual abuse and rape. (Courtesy Photo/FORCE)

The Monument Quilt, organized by the Baltimore-based activist collective FORCE, tells the stories of survivors of sexual abuse and rape. (Courtesy Photo/FORCE)

The panels of red fabric give voice to survivors.

On one, a heartbreaking succession of assaults: "I said no 2007. No chance for no 2009. No never mattered 2010.

On another, "I was raped by 2 or 3 men while studying abroad. I am finding my voice again and you can too."

On a third, "Soy valiosa." I am brave.

All together, The Monument Quilt, created as "a public healing space by and for survivors of rape and abuse," has collected 1,000 squares documenting individual stories.

On March 8, nine quilts will be on display at the Rothko Chapel as part of an International Women's Day observation.

The event will feature a twilight meditation with Shanti Flagg, the studio director of FORCE, a Baltimore-based activist collective that organized the quilt. Flagg will also address the current landscape of rape and sexual violence, at a time of reckoning spurred by the #MeToo movement.

The Monument Quilt, which has visited 22 cities, is scheduled to go to Washington, D.C., this spring, where it will be displayed on the National Mall to spell "Not Alone."

"FORCE has started a conversation about sexual violence against women and has been helping people envision a different future, where women are more empowered," Ashley Clemmer, Rothko Chapel's director of programs and community engagement, said in a press release.

The quilt will be on display at the Rothko Chapel, 3900 Yupon St., from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The twilight meditation begins at 6 p.m.