Letters to the Army of Three (in progress)

Patricia Maginnis, Lana Clark Phelan and Rowena Gurner were a group of abortion rights activists who formed an organization nicknamed “The Army of Three.” From 1964-73, people from across the country would write to this organization seeking guidance to obtain safe and healthy abortions. The letters were from those pregnant women, but the some were written by boyfriends, family, and other loved ones, searching for help and support. Since these letters were prior to Roe v. Wade (the Supreme Court’s decision on legalizing abortion), the letters were a secretive form of written communication. I began rewriting the letters in the format of dada poetry in order to unite the originals. Using paper, string, and lace, I have sewn the words of these brave women and loved ones into a massive letter/paper quilt to share their experiences as a public message.