We hosted screenings of The Lilies of the Field, the 1963 movie and namesake of our project. The film features Sidney Poitier as Homer Smith and a superfluity of nuns, who work together to rebuild a chapel. The film shares a blueprint for our own renewal, including humility, patience and gratitude.
Although the Mother stifles her gratitude towards Smith, I am overwhelmed with support from the women of The Lilies Project. These are just a handful of our team who are so important to recognize on International Women's Day.
Tracey and Andree courageously share the impacts of coal ash and life on bottled water.
Filmmakers, like Dayna and Princess, capture these stories and harness their power in succinct documentary shorts.
Amy began organizing in the Belews Creek in 2013 and elevates the community concerns with state and federal government officials.
Christine, the librarian, serves the rural community ranging from children, teenage mothers and grandmothers, including one who believed her email address was google.com.
Patti, the president of the Stokes County Historical Society, finds the most impassioned community members to participate in the community events.
Martha, the Director of Research at Old Salem, makes layered connections between the earliest roots of the region and the parallels of the work that we are creating with The Lilies Project over two hundred and fifty years later.
Felicia effortlessly handles all of the bookkeeping and keeps me on task through the Stokes County Arts Council.
Leslie's faith encourages us to see beyond the current state of Walnut Cove and towards a vision of renewal.
Marie collected the stories of the community and synthesizes our gatherings into performance art as a means of healing and transformation.
Finally my dear childhood friends, Jennifer and Danielle. Jennifer challenged me not to turn my back on my hometown as an adult. And my awaking from Danielle's cancer diagnosis demanded that I not keep silent.
Like the nuns, many prayers are being answered, transformation is unfolding, and healing continues to occur. Danielle is cancer-free and our stories continue to ring loud and clear across the country, like the bells of the completed chapel.
A few of these dear ones are featured here: