Sheila's Shawls: Shedding Light on Domestic Violence
Sheila's Shawls provides comfort for people who have lost loved ones to domestic violence, one knitted prayer shawl at a time.
As every charity knitter knows, our creations can do much more than keep someone warm. They can become a source of comfort, offer a bright spot of hope during a desperate time, or soothe the soul of someone scarred by loss.
Sheila's Shawls manage to do all three. These colorful prayer shawls, created in memory of domestic violence crusader Sheila Wellstone, offer solace and healing to those who have suffered loss as a result of domestic violence.
SHOULDERING LIFE'S BURDENS
In October 2002, social activist Sheila Wellstone and her husband, Minnesota Senator Paul Wellstone, died in an airplane crash. The loss was a bitter blow for the people of Minnesota and for the people they touched worldwide. People loved the Wellstones for their caring natures, and their true commitment to helping the people they served.
The idea of Sheila's Shawls came about when Sheila's friend, fellow domestic violence activist Janet Hagberg, wrapped herself in a prayer shawl after hearing of Sheila's death. She immediately felt at peace, as if Sheila were with her.
Soon, Janet and a network of knitters were knitting prayer shawls and distributing them to victims of domestic violence all over the country. Silent Witness, a domestic violence prevention center that Janet co-founded and directs, organizes the distribution of the shawls.
WEAVING IN HOPE, LOVE, AND PEACE
So far, Janet and her friends have distributed more than 500 Sheila's Shawls. Grieving men receive Paul's Scarves. Recently, a young Minnesota girl joined in with Quilts for Kids, which provides quilted blankets for children who have lost parents to domestic violence.
In 2004, Janet and her colleagues further raised awareness for their cause by designing and creating 75 new knitted, crocheted, and woven shawls for display at the University of Minnesota's Goldberg School of Design. These special Sheila's Shawls made their world debut at a fashion show in June 2004; later, they sold for more than $40,000 at auction.
They used the funds to endow the Sheila Wellstone scholarship at the University of Minnesota School of Social Work. This scholarship is set aside specifically for students studying ways to prevent domestic violence.
GET THOSE NEEDLES CLACKING!
If you're ready to knit one of Sheila's Shawls yourself, you can find out more about the charity at its Silent Witness webpage.
On that page you'll also find links for the two related projects, Paul's Scarves and Quilts for Kids.
The Sheila's Shawls webpage offers several patterns for you to use. However, you can also use the standard pattern offered by the Shawl Ministry, which helped inspire Janet to create Sheila's Shawls. You can find their website here.
There are few limitations on the type or color of the material you can use for a Sheila's Shawl or Paul's Scarf. The most important thing is that you work in some good thoughts, feelings of peace and comfort, hope, love, and healing into your creation as you go.
It's not cheap to send Sheila's Shawls to the people who need them, so please include a contribution of $10 in addition to your contribution of compassion.