Choice © Fran Saperstein

Choice

Fran Saperstein

Phoenix, Arizona, USA

Artist Statement

A woman’s freedom to choose her life is based upon her freedom to make choices about her body. At the core of this is a right to choose when, whether and how she participates in sexual relations and creating a family. Each woman needs access to information, support and contraceptives to make this happen.

Margaret Sanger, founder of Planned Parenthood and the first woman to teach other women about birth control, is a pioneer in women’s rights. At the age of 14, my grandmother and her two younger brothers were left at an orphanage after her mother tried to abort a pregnancy that was forced upon her and their father could not take care of them. I am a woman who chose not to have children. Without the work of Margaret Sanger, I would not have been able to make that choice legally and pursue my life as I wish.

Woman’s Groundbreaking Accomplishment

Margaret Sanger fought for the right to contraception and was one of the founders of the International Council of Planned Parenthood and its first president.

Techniques

Hand painted whole cloth image on cotton textile. Hand quilted and stitched with Cotton Floche and applique.

Materials

PFD cotton, textile paints, Cotton floche, batik cotton appliques, cotton batting