Climbing Jacob’s Ladder

Inspired by the ‘slave narratives’ of the Federal Writer's Project, this 20” figure became the first in a series of African-American women. Time and cultural distances have removed from us a true understanding of the kind of spiritual, emotional and physical fortitude required to endure life in a darker period of our country’s history. The key around her neck is symbolic… it is the key to her freedom. And that key is Faith… Faith in herself, faith in her family and, above all, faith in God.

(private collection)

Pictured in Oct/Nov edition of Contemporary Doll Magazine, 1994