A Rose by Any Other Name
Rose Kretsinger, Quilter, Artist, Author (1886-1963) was a nationally famous 20th century quilter from Emporia, Kansas.
Debbie Divine combines two of her loves, quilting and research, into an historic characterization of Rose Kretsinger. Rose shared her knowledge and love of quilting in part through her co-authorship of the highly acclaimed Romance of the Patchwork Quilt. She is in the Quilter’s Hall of Fame and has two quilts in the Top 100 Quilts of the 20th Century. Debbie continues Rose’s love of sharing her quilting, philosophy and techniques, as well as appreciation for the time in which she lived, with her portrayal of Rose. Debbie spent much of her professional career conducting research and sharing her results in both the public and private sectors. She was named one of the top 50 researchers on the University of Florida research faculty in 1986. She served as Program Manager for the Kansas Scenic Byways Program for 13 years. During that time she sponsored numerous conferences and workshops, one of which was “Ride Into History” by Drs. Joyce Thierer and Ann Birney, which proved to be an “I can do that” moment for Debbie. Debbie has conducted extensive research not only about Rose, but also the place and times in which she lived. She is grateful to Rose’s family, other quilt researchers, the Lyon County Historical Society, and the Spencer Museum at the University of Kansas, which is the repository for Rose’s quilts and quilting tools for their assistance in her research. Please contact Debbie if you would like Rose (and Debbie) to visit your organization. Rose especially enjoys visiting historical societies, quilting organizations and women’s groups, but she’s not afraid of speaking for any good audience!
Eleanor Roosevelt
By the summer of 1962, former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt had written almost 30 books and over 550 articles. She had given 75 speeches per year, and had written an average of 150 letters per day without a ghost writer. Since 1936, her nationally syndicated column, “My Day,” equaled over 8,000 political newspaper commentaries. Her monthly question and answer column, “If You Ask Me,” had appeared in Ladies Home Journal and McCall’s magazine for over 250 issues.
For a girl who was very shy in her youth without much self-confidence, Eleanor grew into what President Harry Truman called “First Lady of the World.” Her life has been filled with efforts to improve the quality of life for all. She is delighted to visit you to share what she has been doing to further equality for all throughout the US and also the world.
Marie Webster
Indiana native, brought renewed respect for, interest in and admiration of quilts to the 20th century with her quilt designs that were the first quilts published in full color in a major magazine in the January, 1911 Ladies Home Journal magazine. She soon followed that success with publication in 1915 of the first book about the history of quilting, Quilts: Their Story and How to Make Them. Following the book’s great success and in response to the many requests she received from both the Ladies Home Journal articles and her book, Marie showed her entrepreneurial abilities by establishing a quilt pattern business, The Practical Patchwork Company. She also extensively lectured about the history of quilting in colonial costume to many groups including the Medical Society Wives Club of Indiana, ladies quilting groups, historical societies, and even to women in prison. Debbie Divine uses Marie’s actual script from her presentations for us today. Take yourself back to 1925 as we welcome Marie Webster.
“Your performance was one of the best I’ve ever seen.
I have never seen the audience get so involved--
they all clapped when you told about your first place ribbons at the fair.”
Contact information:
Deborah Divine
1748 Glen Avenue
Salina, KS
(785) 823-3447
(785) 452-0166 (cell)
deborahdivine@cox.net