For the past month StoryCorps Griot has been zigzagging through the red clay roads of Dixie. This week we spent a couple days in Boykin, Alabama in a community known as Gee’s Bend. The women of Gee’s Bend have become famous for their quilt work. Despite the attention they have received it seems like little has changed in this small community. My co-facilitator John and I were deeply touched by the hospitality we received. Out in the country far from stores and restaurants, the women of Boykin took good care of us. For two young men on the road, far from home, nothing comforts like good home-cooked treats. I had as many slices as I could of the best sweet potato pie I’ve ever tasted. If I had to choose between Mary Lee’s sweet potato pie and Mary Ann’s cake, it would be a hard decision. I would have to try both again and again!
February 19th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
Thank you for sharing these inspirational photos. As a quilter and former SC facilitator seeing these photos and quilts is like a dream. I am very excited and proud to hear that SC is capturing this community’s stories.