Solidarity Stole (St. Lawrence University)

St. Lawrence University

Canton, NY

In the winter of 2009, the Reverend Dr. Janie Spahr came to St. Lawrence University to give a lecture on the Shower of Stoles, speak in classes, and meet with LGBT student groups. At that time, we displayed 450 stoles from the collection in the student center, the dining hall, the chapel, and the library.

This stole, made over the course of her visit, is signed by over 250 faculty, staff, and students of the university, as well as community members. The cloth comes from Africa and has many symbols on it, including the West African Adinkra symbol GYE NYAME which means “except for God.” This unique and beautiful symbol is ubiquitous in Ghana.

With the help of Selina French in the Costume Shop and faculty member Meagan Bos, we created this stole to donate to the Shower of Stoles Project in support of LGBT people and the struggle for justice. The University Chaplain, the Reverend Kathleen Buckley, has a stole in the collection that was donated by the First Presbyterian Church of Troy, NY in 1996.

(Note: A signature stole is one that is covered with the signatures of both LGBT and straight members of a congregation, denominational governing body, or other organization. These stoles serve the dual purpose of showing support for LGBT persons, while also protecting their anonymity by including their names as “one among many.”)