Addie Pearl Nicholson facts for kids

Addie Pearl Nicholson (born January 17, 1931 – died January 13, 2022) was an American artist known for her beautiful quilts. She was part of the famous Gee's Bend quilting group. Addie Pearl also played an important role in the Freedom Quilting Bee, serving as its secretary when it started in 1966. Later, she cooked for their daycare center and even became the president of the Bee.

Early Life in Alabama

Addie Pearl Nicholson was born in Dallas County, near a place called Pleasant Hill, close to Selma, Alabama. When she was young, her family moved to Coy, Alabama. This happened because the government broke up a large farm called McDuffie Plantation due to unfair practices against sharecroppers. Sharecropping was a system where farmers worked land owned by someone else and paid rent with a share of their crops. Her father received 150 acres of land from this change.

Addie Pearl met her husband, Daniel Nicholson, when she was 18. They got married soon after and moved to Gee's Bend. There, they farmed and started their family. Even though they lived in Gee's Bend for most of their lives, the community still called them "incomers" because not many new families moved there.

Her Quilting Work

Addie Pearl Nicholson started making quilts when she was 16 years old. She made even more after she got married. Her husband, Daniel, was proud of her quilting and even joked about helping her sew! Their quilts were mostly practical. They used them to keep their children warm at night and to make sitting in the fields more comfortable.

Later Years

Addie Pearl Nicholson passed away in Camden, Alabama on January 13, 2022. She died just four days before her 91st birthday.