Singer's No. 24 or "Automatic," produced during the late 19th and early 20th centuries
You know we're a sucker for women and sewing machines. In our day, high school girls had to take both cooking and sewing, while the boys were doing "shop" and draughting. Could such sexual segregation of skills be more arbitrary by today's standards? It was a holdover from the stifling nineteenth-century idea of the woman's keeping the home fires burning. But today, the sewing machine is a symbol of freedom for women in Iraq:
"The first shipment of 50 machines has arrived. An article in the Marine Corps News tells the story of their delivery," reports Rob A of Fine? Why Fine?, re Spirit of America's latest small step for womankind in Iraq, "putting economic power in women's hands."
"$475 purchases one industrial sewing machine, direct from the manufacturer. Your donation is tax deductible," says Spirit of America:
The bulk of these machines will be going to Sewing Centers being set up by the Director of Economic development. These centers will employ women to do piece-work in order to provide poor Iraqis affordable clothing. We will provide the machines and some seed money with the intent that these centers be self-sufficient in about 3 months.
Thereby giving women a chance to make a living, as well as make clothes for themselves and their families.
You can help, by donating above. Even if you just buy a bobbin, it helps!
You sew, girls!
Are you still taking donations for sewing machines?
Posted by: KimPagett | July 16, 2008 at 12:21 PM