About 6 weeks after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, Balltown, Iowa resident Susan Hoppenworth began volunteer work in New York City as a mental health counselor. She documented her experience assisting the people of New York through a daily journal, excerpts of which accompany her handmade quilts.
Quilts have a history of being used to commemorate life milestones as well as times of suffering or tragedy. Hoppenworth’s quilts provide a source of comfort for those dealing with the difficult memories from that time. Five of the six quilts were created between September and December 2001 and the sixth quilt was completed this year in honor of the tenth anniversary of the attacks.
Hoppenworth was born and raised in Waterloo, Iowa. She received a Bachelor of Science in Textiles and a Master of Arts in Counseling from University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa. She worked for over 30 years as a mental health practitioner in Iowa and has used art in her work as an outlet for herself and her clients.