Using Our Voices -Together as One

by Diane Collins and Jennifer Fleming

For centuries, women all over the world developed skills and knowledge that shaped cultures and civilizations. Originally, womens’ roles centered around the home and family, serving as the nurturers and stabilizers of the family and were predominantly focused inward. At this level they learned and appreciated the spirit of collaboration –working with other women in their village or community to accomplish work that benefitted more than just themselves or their individual family.

As societies around the world developed and reached out to each other language was also evolving and offered the opportunity for verbal exchanges of support, motivation, inspiration and learning. Words of wisdom were handed down from generation to generation and between groups of people who could grasp the concept of peaceful existence, shared hopes and values.

The piece we created titled “Using Our Voice-Together as One” includes images of women, young and old, from different races and countries. The images are linked with delicate copper wire to represent connection, affirming how women from different cultures and traditions, all aspiring to a common purpose, can make meaningful changes. Words are po- sitioned throughout the piece from a variety of women who have used their voices to improve our world, including Eleanor Roosevelt, Coretta Scott King, Mother Theresa, Amanda Gorman, Isabelle Allende. Their words inspire us, ground us, offer us respect and a way to collaborate with other women to make our world a better place.

Diane Collins is an oil painter and assemblage artist. Jennifer Fleming is a non-objective painter using acrylic medium, and a collage artist. Our piece blends our creative vision and hope for women continuing to make a difference.