Background of Project

Suzanne Hardebeck, Ph.D. in Human Resources, retired Associate Professor and Department Chairperson of Business Administration at the University of Texas at Brownsville, WWII baby, genealogy and quilt lover, has established an online registry for use by art and quilt historians, women’s study groups, and others interested in quilts and textiles of the period.  After collecting the specifics, she would like to see that the women included in the online registry are honored for their contribution to the war effort.

Suzanne belongs both to the Austin Area Quilt Guild and the Quilter’s Guild of Dallas.  There appear to be very few members who are under 40-years old at any of the guilds visited by Suzanne.  The current under 40-year-olds have to be mobile because of the current economic situation and tend to be more into experiences than possessions.  As they move across the country or overseas for jobs, they are not as likely to take inherited “old quilts” with them and much of the history of the 40’s era may be lost. 

The under 40-year-olds tend to do the bulk of their research online, so a website is a good place for their quilt education.  As a former university teacher as well as a secondary teacher, Suzanne is interested in aiding families in their quilt research and quilt genealogy. 

Suzanne has a special interest in quilts 1850 to 1950 as well as patriotic WWII quilts.