“Threads of Empowerment” Quilt Finds New Home at University of Maryland

A powerful symbol of collaboration, resilience, and women’s leadership in coffee now hangs in a space dedicated to community learning.

Standing next to the “Threads of Empowerment” Quilt are the staff at the Leadership & Community Service Learning Center at the University.

Back: Kam Risku, Myles Alexander, Courtney Holder Front: Breana Echols, Makynzie Horvath, Naomi Cohen

Threads of Empowerment—a quilt created by renowned fiber artist Aisha Lumumba—has been installed in the Leadership & Community Service-Learning office at the Adele H. Stamp Student Union (STAMP) at the University of Maryland. This stunning piece of textile art was the centerpiece of the 2024 IWCA Quilt Auction and is now on display for the next year, thanks to the generosity of UMD alum and long-time IWCA supporter Margaret Swallow ('75).

What makes this quilt truly unique is its origin. Every piece of fabric stitched into Threads of Empowerment was contributed by IWCA Chapter members around the world. From Guatemala to Rwanda to Vietnam, each swatch represents the hands, stories, and hard-won progress of women throughout the global coffee supply chain.

The quilt’s installation also celebrates a long-standing partnership between the University of Maryland’s Alternative Breaks Program and Finca Los Andes in Guatemala—an initiative Margaret helped launch in 2010. Each year, UMD students and staff travel to Los Andes to engage in hands-on learning about sustainable development, women-led coffee operations, and ethical sourcing.

Now hanging in STAMP, Threads of Empowerment stands as a daily reminder of what’s possible when communities come together—across borders, cultures, and industries—to uplift women and invest in shared success.

We’re honored to see this work of art continue to inspire the next generation of changemakers.