Remembering The Ladies: Stitching Together A Revolution

Janie York’s presentation explores the role our founding mothers played in the American Revolution. The words of Abigail Adams, wife of John Adams, resonate in the title. She beseeched her husband to “Remember the Ladies” as he and the Continental Congress created the document that would shape this new democracy. Women of the time used their cunning, creativity, and needlework skills to craft a story of how they supported the military effort. You’ll meet activists, impersonators, and seamstresses who supported the war effort and, in some cases, changed its trajectory.

This presentation was developed in partnership with Nebraska Public Media as part of its engagement initiatives around The American Revolution, the highly anticipated new documentary from Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt. The documentary premiered on November 16, 2025, and activities continue through July 2026 to commemorate America 250. Learn more about the film and additional events online.