Houston Army Veteran wins first place with “Cathay Williams” quilt tribute
Pamela Tilley knows a thing or two about using her hands to stitch, the retired Army nurse weaves about 1800 pieces of cotton for making quilts, a way she honors military heroes.
This year her quilt, “Cathay Williams” won first place in the 2024 National Veterans Creative Arts Competition, at the Houston VA.
“I want to tell the stories of Veterans all the time, their stories are a symbol of strength, courage, and resilience,” said Tilley.
Her quilt is a tribute to African American Cathay Williams, the first female to enlist in the U.S. Army as a woman while posing as a man named William Cathay during the Indian Wars.
During the Prohibition era, it was illegal for women to serve however after passing the medical exam Williams, was able to work as a cook for Gen. Phillip Sheridan.
After Williams, was discharged she applied for a disability pension based on her military service and was denied and later died due to health complications.
Tilley, says our stories need to be told, everyone needs to hear not only our service stories but also the tragedies service members face.
First, she uses software that captures a photograph and then the system creates a mosaic and gives her pieces.
To date, her collection of quilts includes portraits of monumental female Veterans such as retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Wilma Vaught, Harriett Tubman, The Underground Railroad, 6888th Postal Service Battalion, and many more.
This is not Tilley’s first time participating in the competition, she placed in 2013.
How did you learn how to quilt?
After retiring in 1991 at Fort Hunter Liggett in California, she found herself visiting all the wineries in the area, when she stumbled across the small town of Paso Robles.
Because of boredom, she decided to pick up a new hobby and took a class under famous quilt maker, Eleanor Burns.
“The first quilt I ever made showcased a Veteran mother and child who lived under a bridge,” she said.
She owns nine Brother sewing machines.
Fifteen of her first quilts have been displayed on tour exhibitions around universities and museums worldwide.
What’s next?
Currently, she is working on a quilt that highlights 50 Iraq and Afghan Veterans hoping to complete the two quilts for presentation in the upcoming International Quilt Festival.
“I’m telling you I’ve put every shoe, foot, toe, I can think of into this thing,” said Tilley.
The creative is on a mission to ensure that Veterans' stories are not lost in translation or forgotten.
Originally from Freeport, Texas, she resonates with Williams because she was about 17 when she entered the service and had to obtain a waiver.
Next year Tilley will fly out to have her work compete at the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival.
“As a Veteran, my goal is to educate people that Veterans can apply their military skills in the civilian world to help shape a community,” she said.