Women’s History Month with Women of C&T Publishing
Mar 22nd 2022
March is Women’s History Month and we are celebrating with C&T staff and authors! We are asking women to reflect on their careers in the publishing industry, dreams and aspirations, and what Women’s History Month means to them. You can see their answers published on our social media stories throughout the month of March.
Amy Barrett-Daffin
C&T Publisher
What does Women's History Month mean to you?
My Favorite podcast, one of them, is Stuff You Missed in History Class, I love it because they share history about all sorts of people, many of them women and all they have contributed to our world. Women are mostly overlooked in history so this podcast has taught me so much about so many amazing women. Ones who have saved lives, made scientific breakthroughs and taken stands for other women. So Women's History Month is a time to honor all those who came before us and made our road easier, smoother so we can do it for the women who come after us.
What does the phrase "empowered women, empower women" mean to you and how do you live this in your daily life?
I try to be a role model for the women in my life by how I treat people. Whether I am mentoring employees or other people I try to lift them up so they can see the potential I see in them. I also try to empower my sisters and my friends by letting them know I have their back and that I believe in them to achieve, succeed and thrive.
What female public figure, past or present, inspires you the most and why?
Eleanor Roosevelt. I carry this quote in my wallet and it has helped me get through some really difficult times in my life: "You Gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.' You must do the thing you think you cannot do."
Why did you choose a career in the publishing industry?
I have always loved books and started in magazine publishing. When I saw the opportunity at C&T I jumped at it and I've been here for 22 years being inspired by beautiful things everyday.
At the end of the day, what do you hope your legacy in publishing will be?
That I will have been a part of inspiring makers to create something beautiful and to have given them a space to find joy and happiness in their creative process.
Bianca Springer
C&T Author, owner of Thanks! I Made Them! Sew Can You.
What does Women's History Month mean to you?
It signals a deliberate effort to recognize and to celebrate the historical achievements of women in culture and society. So often, in the patriarchal society of the past and present, the contributions of women in advancing the world have been overshadowed. To a large extent, men have historically actively discounted, claimed, or erased the influence and work of women. The month is an opportunity to recognize, to remind, and to refocus attention on the unsung women of the past and present and to give them their due.
What does the phrase "empowered women, empower women" mean to you and how do you live this in your daily life?
An empowered woman is self-aware and confronts the full complexities of what it means to be a woman. An empowered woman is not all things to all people, and she actively relinquishes the mantle of societal pressure to be. An empowered woman uses her voice to speak for herself and for those around her. She speaks to the powerless and helps them to use their voices to gain strength. An empowered woman celebrates the work and achievements of other women. She acknowledges their journeys and cheers them on to go further. She does this for those who are coming after her and for those who are on the place of their journey that she aspires to be. The act of living an empowered life directly and indirectly empowers other women to do the same.
As a Black, female business owner in the sewing and craft industry, race adds another level of empowerment to the conversation. I consult and serve on advisory boards to encourage and to demand inclusion in spaces that exclude BIPOC makers. I work to empower those who claim to be allies to use their voices at the tables where they sit. I demand that they do the work to be inclusive and make room for those that have been ignored and marginalized.
What female public figure, past or present, inspires you the most and why?
I am inspired by the remarkable work of Noble Prize winner, Toni Morrison. Her writing is provocative, beautiful, and heartbreaking. She tackled subject matter of race, culture, superstitions, generational trauma, love, sacrifice, and redemption. She wrote difficult and necessary stories. With her success, she faced critics from all sides. The way that she made no excuses for her subject matter and gave no explanations for why she deserved recognition was masterful.
Why did you choose a career in the publishing industry?
I choose a career in the publishing industry to fill a void. I choose to write my upcoming book because I was frustrated with feeling ignored by the embroidery book offerings that focus on a white audience. I wanted embroidery designs with people who look like me, my children, and my community. I wanted designs that reflect a diverse range of people who look like me, and I wanted a book that helps us feel seen in the uniqueness of our skin, hair, body and lived experiences. I wanted to present diverse designs and projects that are conversation starters for my non-BIPOC makers. I wanted to offer a safe space to question, “Why is the book is relevant?”, “Who is the book for?”, “Who is it about?”, “Is it okay for me to stitch the woman with an Afro made of stars?”, “Why do I want to?”, “Why don’t I want to?”, “How does this book make me feel?”, “Why do I feel this way?”, “How are people of color represented in the books I routinely chose?”.
At the end of the day, what do you hope your legacy in publishing will be?
I want to herald a shift toward more craft books written by people of color with diverse projects and imagery that showcases our everyday lives. I want people for whom this resonates to say, “Yes! That is it; I feel that way. I feel seen.”
Alex Anderson
C&T Author, founding partner of The Quilt Show.com and The Quilt Life Magazine
What does Women's History Month mean to you?
When I consider the strides women have made over the past 100 plus years it is staggering. For example, my grandmother was raised in the Victorian era, my Mom endured the great depression and WW2, then there was me (a kids of the 70's) and now my daughter. Each generation has grown through time with strength, dignity and a stronger voice.
What does the phrase "empowered women, empower women" mean to you and how do you live this in your daily life?
It is incredibly important that we teach, grow and mentor those around us as we have been.
What female public figure, past or present, inspires you the most and why?
It has to be RBG - she broke the glass ceiling and no one saw her coming.
Why did you choose a career in the publishing industry?
In any arts community it is important to get published. That simple act alone will open many doors.
At the end of the day, what do you hope your legacy in publishing will be?
Specifically that I opened the doors to quilt making for many I will never have the pleasure to meet.
Sophia Scardaci
Creative Spark Online Learning Manager
What does Women's History Month mean to you?
It's a great opportunity to acknowledge historically significant women that have paved a path for me and my daughter and all women. It is also a chance to stop and see where changes need to be made and voices lifted.
What does the phrase "empowered women, empower women" mean to you and how do you live this in your daily life?
I think this phrase is a reminder to lift those who need lifting, pass torches and share your wins. This includes taking time to celebrate younger generations and creating opportunities for women led businesses. This is key for female camaraderie and success.
What female public figure, past or present, inspires you the most and why?
This has changed for me over time. In my 20's, it was Martha Stewart. I loved her business sense and her ability to create a brand based on things I loved...crafting, home keeping, cooking, etc. I even had my mom recreate the wedding cake on the cover of her first wedding issue! In my 30's, it was Oprah. I watched her show everyday and I learned so much from her guests and herself. This last decade...well they are not a public figure...but I would say my daughter. She is passionate, caring, funny, creative and sometimes messy but always full of grace for others. She reminds me the amount of bravery needed to follow your dreams and explore possibilities while trying to not let social media consume your identity. She blows me away on a regular basis.
Why did you choose a career in the publishing industry?
I have always loved craft books. I am obsessed with learning new skills and techniques. Being able to work with creative masters is an opportunity that I would have never dreamed of in the past. Being part of a company that also sees publishing beyond just books has been exciting too.
At the end of the day, what do you hope your legacy in publishing will be?
I hope my legacy is that the instructors/authors I worked with felt cheered on by me and our customers creative lives were enhanced through the projects and skills the classes I helped with.
Valerie Goodwin
C&T Author, Creative Spark Instructor, Architecture Professor
What does Women's History Month mean to you?
It is the month during which we celebrate and honor the contributions of women regardless of their races, sexual orientations, religions, and ethnic backgrounds.
What does the phrase "empowered women, empower women" mean to you and how do you live this in your daily life?
An empowered woman is someone who recognizes her strengths and embraces them. In addition, she promotes and celebrates other women.
What female public figure, past or present, inspires you the most and why?
As our first lady, Michelle Obama was a notable role model. She was a Harvard Law educated and in my opinion, of equal importance to her husband, President Barack Obama. Despite overwhelming challenges, she championed many important causes and transformed the role of the First Lady.
Why did you choose a career in the publishing industry?
I wrote “Art Quilt Maps” because I knew I had a unique voice and wanted to share it with other like-minded art quilters.
At the end of the day, what do you hope your legacy in publishing will be?
I want to be remembered by the imprint I left on the minds and hearts of others. I want for people to know that I cared about my family, my friends, and that I felt blessed to have a passion for creating and teaching art as well as architecture.
Madison Moore
Acquisitions Editor
What female public figure, past or present, inspires you the most and why?
I'm really inspired by female athletes! I've been an athlete all my life, and I really look up to women like Simone Biles, Serena Williams, and Naomi Osaka, who are unbelievably inspiring, excellent, and tenacious under tons of pressure and scrutiny.
Why did you choose a career in the publishing industry?
I chose a career in publishing because I love books. I love helping people achieve their dream of writing, of sharing their work and stories with the world, and generally working with creative people every day. It's an incredible feeling to do the work that helps someone achieve their dreams!
At the end of the day, what do you hope your legacy in publishing will be?
I hope my legacy will be a career full of beautiful books. Books made by a large group of diverse creators, expressing a wide variety of experiences, interests, imagery, and lives, and books that help brighten the lives of those who read them!
