Threads of Remembrance: Quilt in Dallas-Fort Worth

Dallas-Fort Worth Chapter of the NAMES Project

In 1991, the Dallas-Fort Worth Chapter of the NAMES Project was formed. At that time, Texas was ranked 4th in the nation for number of AIDS cases diagnosed and died, and 37th in state funding for AIDS. The individuals who came together to form this chapter saw these troubling statistics and wanted to help their communities through education and funding local AIDS organizations. Within a year of opening, it was clear that a single chapter could not address the needs of these two very different cities with such a physical distance between them. There were also issues with press releases listing Dallas but not Fort Worth, and it was not clear that the Chapter was working with both communities. The Chapter split up into the Dallas Chapter and the Fort Worth/Tarrant County Chapter, and each was established in 1992. After the Chapters separated, they continued to work closely on major programming, such as large displays, or when hosting national tours of the Quilt.

Newspaper page titled Calendar in big letters at the top. Under it is a photograph, 2 columns on the sides of it and 2 smaller one under it. There are two advertisements at the bottom.

A newspaper page title news at the top, with the words Guidelines For Paradise Discussed under it. Under that are four columns of text, with a small photograph of a man in glasses at the top of the third column.

An old page with 2 sections of text at the top and several other sections of text on the rest of the page. The left margin of the page has three hole punches.

A white page titled The Seam Line at the top, under that is the title Dallas/Ft. Worth Chapter Gets Early Gifts. Under that are three sections of text. There is a drawing of a house on it.

A white page titled The Seam Line Pg 2 at the top left corner. Under that is a small book drawing. Below that are three bullet points. There is other text on the page including a drawing of a pen.

A white page with an outline drawing of a scroll. At the top of the drawing is the words Names Project, a drawing of two hands on the right. Under it is an announcement.

An ink stamper with a wooden handle. On it are the words Keep Their Names Alive.

A white and light blue checkered pattern. A pattern of the state of Texas is in the middle in red, navy and white patterns. The top of the banner says in black letters Dallas-Fort Worth Metro, and the bottom says Remember Their Names.

A white page with a letter consisting of three columns of text. The left side margin has 3 hole punches.

A white page filled with black text consisting of seven paragraphs. The left side margin has three hole punches.

A white page with a paragraph of text at the top, and signatures under it. The left side margin has three hole punches and the rest of the page is blank.

Dallas Metroplex Chapter of the NAMES Project

The Dallas Chapter worked under the umbrella of the Foundation for Human Understanding, until it was able to gain non-profit status on its own. The Chapter worked closely with Dallas LGBT organizations, such as the Dallas Gay Alliance, to plan Quilt displays and create educational programming for the community. The Dallas Chapter established a relationship with the White Rock Community Church, early on, where they rented a space for a panelmaking workshop, where community members could seek assistance in creating panels. The Dallas Chapter also committed to publishing a quarterly newsletter, “The Seam Line,” which reported about Chapter meetings and upcoming events, as well as making requests for volunteers and supplies. In 1994-5, the Chapter sponsored major displays of the Quilt at Market Hall, and in 1996, their focus went to the national display in Washington, D.C.

In 1996, the Chapter underwent major changes when the Chapter Chair was asked to resign, by the national office, and many members of the Steering Committee chose to leave at the same time. Over the next year, remaining members worked to fill empty positions and revitalize their organization with new volunteers, more frequent meetings, and a new focus. After this reorganization of the Chapter, they focused their efforts on smaller displays at schools and community centers, in order to better connect with locals, harbor stronger connections for collaborations, and utilize their funds more responsibly.

The Chapter continued with their mission through a difficult time for the national organization, when the NAMES Project Foundation headquarters moved from San Francisco to Atlanta in 2002. During this time, the organization placed greater limits on the Chapters in terms of fundraising and raised costs for Chapters to host Quilt blocks. With this, about ten Chapters nationwide decided to disband. The Dallas Chapter agreed to the new terms in 2002, but the organization only remained in existence through 2003, at which point it disbanded.

A white banner titled The Names Project at the top and Dallas Chapter at the bottom in big red letters. The middle of it is a rainbow on the side, a flag of Texas in the middle, and a red heart on the side.

Closeup of a banner, a patch in the shape of the Texas Flag is seen with the figure of Texas on it.

A white banner filled with small red ribbons all over it.

A grey binder with different patches on it. White patches contain the title. One at the top says Dallas Metro, the one on the bottom says Names Project.

An open binder containing fabric instead of pages. The page on the right is in focus, the fabric is colorful stripes with a partial dark blue fabric at the bottom. The word Rick is on it in black letters.

An open binder with fabric pages. The page shown is a black fabric with yellow L and O letters. On top of it is more yellow fabric.

An open binder with fabric pages. The page shown is a patched dark fabric, golden thread on top of it.

A white fabric in a binder with a cloud like patter on it. The sign for no is at the top, under it are the words Hot Glue Sequins Glass.

A woman is seen sitting at a chair by quilt fabric laying at a table. Other people are seen behind her.

A room with fabric set up on some tables is seen. On the left side of the photo are shelves filled with fabric. In the back of the room is a chalkboard.

Shelves filled with fabric are in the back of a room. In the front are two men sitting at a table.

A white certificate with a blue frame design. The title of the certificate says The Quilt AIDS Memorial at the top in blue letters. In the bottom right corner is a golden sticker that says The Quilt.

A black plaque with a wooden frame. The black part of it has the award details on it, framed by a silver line.

A white invitation with a faded red ribbon in the middle of it. Over the invitation is black text, announcing the memorial event.

Fort Worth-Tarrant County Chapter

The Fort Worth/Tarrant County Chapter worked under the umbrella of the AIDS Outreach Center for four years, until they were able to gain non-profit status on their own. This allowed the Chapter to establish their place in the community and create strong connections with other AIDS organizations. In 1993, the Chapter was honored with the Chapter of the Year award, after hosting a major display of over 200 12’ x 12’ Quilt blocks at the Will Rogers Exhibit Hall, raising $22,000 for local AIDS services, and bringing in over 100 new panels to be added to the Quilt.

In 1996, the Chapter focused on helping with the display in Washington, D.C. After this major event, the leaders of the Chapter decided to step down from their positions to allow a new steering committee to take over operations. Under new leadership, the Fort Worth Chapter chose to focus on local outreach, presenting educational materials with other local organizations, and attracting more people to panelmaking workshops.

The Fort Worth Chapter was one of many that opted to disband instead of agreeing to new regulations created by the NAMES Project Foundation, in 2002. The Chapter decided that the new limitations on local fundraising and the increased cost to host the large Quilt blocks held at the National headquarters would not allow them to achieve their goals and continue to be a main source of HIV/AIDS education in the community. With this decision, the Chapter closed its doors in 2002.