I remember the day it struck me: the work of women is less valued than the work of men. …

I was in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, viewing the work of the Dutch Masters. The Rijksmuseum has erected a veritable shrine to the Dutch Masters, where people the world over pay homage to the likes of Vermeer, de Hooch and Rembrandt. In every room is a guard, well-versed in the history of each painter and each painting, for many thousands of words have been written about these brilliant men and their work.

One passage leads from the chambers of the Dutch Masters into a quiet, darkened needlework gallery. There, without guides or worshippers, we saw crocheting, needlepoint, quilting, embroidery. Ancient works – works from the days of the Dutch Masters. Exquisite works – works of brilliant artists. And no names. I sobbed over a tablecloth, weeping for the woman who designed and created it without recognition, for the woman who didn’t sign her name.

Yet, I like to believe they created with joy, these women. Because, when all is said and done, we must love our own work. If the historical and universal belief that men’s work is more important than women’s work is not to be perpetuated to yet another generation, we must judge our own work to be worthy.

~ Nina Lee Colwill

(Drawn from ‘The Worth of Women’s Work’ in Dropped Threads – What We Aren’t Told, edited by Carol Shields and Marjorie Anderson)