The Earth Science Women’s Network (ESWN) is celebrating its 20th anniversary as an organization in 2022. ESWN has played such an important role in my professional development and ability to succeed in my career as a female geoscientist. If you are unfamiliar with this organization whose mission “is to build a resilient community that lifts all scientists and moves the geosciences forward”, check out my GeoEd Trek blog post on ESWN and another post where Tracey Holloway (one of ESWN’s founding members) shared a short example of why it is important to be a member of an organization like ESWN.

Part of ESWN’s 20th anniversary celebration is an online auction fundraiser. When ESWN reached out to me to see if I had a quilt to donate, I decided to make one modelled after a science story I already designed with fabric. One of my favorite quilts has been It Begins with the Ocean Biome, as the spark for this story came from someone in the Philly Pod of 500 Women Scientists. These fun, flannel fabrics are not only great for a quilt, but I think any kid with this blanket would have fun looking at the patterns and confidently explaining what the quilt is trying to show.

That message = we need to start by saving the biome – otherwise, our efforts to save individual organisms will not be successful. Despite being surrounded by messages of “save the dolphins” and “save the sea turtles,” I put these fabrics around the outside and pointing away from the center fabric that represents the entire ocean. We have to make sure the ocean is a healthy environment to support the life living within.

This quilt measures 42 inches by 42 inches and was completed on March 7, 2022.

I hope the auction winner of this quilt enjoys the blanket – and more importantly, shares the story it is telling.