Images(3)

Quilt, Art

Object number2024.10.14

Made by Sophia Aggas

Date2011

MediumFabric; Cotton

Credit LineGift of Joyce Bender

DescriptionRectangular T-shirt fabric quilt. Quilt is comprised of three columns of six (6) rectangular T-shirt sections each; each column has black background fabric with polychrome polka dot pattern; each column is bordered by purple fabric; quilt has same polka dot fabric as outer border and five hanging loops along top edge. T-shirts are from fun run-walk events, are in various colors, and feature different graphics, sponsor information, and event information; the Pittsburgh Pirates' Pirate Parrot is featured on many of the shirts. Reverse is purple fabric.DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth: 64.5 x 52.5 x 0.25 in. (163.8 x 133.4 x 0.6 cm)
InscriptionsQuilt's T-shirt sections each have printed text:
Viewer's left column, front top to bottom:
"EVERY STEP COUNTS. / The Pirates Family Fun Run/Walk / for Epilepsy / June 28, 2003" / EPILEPSY / FOUNDATION / WESTERN/CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA;
"FUN / RUN-WALK / Every Step Counts for Epilepsy / Epilepsy Foundation Western/Central Pennsylvania / PITTSBURGH, PA / June 16, 2007";
"SEIZE BACK THE MOMENT";
"FUN / RUN-WALK / Every Step Counts for Epilepsy / Epilepsy Foundation Western/Central Pennsylvania / PITTSBURGH, PA / June 17, 2006";
"SEIZE BACK EMPLOYMENT";
"BENDER / CONSULTING SERVICES, INC. / 20th Anniversary of the ADA".

Center column, front top to bottom:
"SEIZE BACK EMPLOYMENT";
"FUN / RUN-WALK / Every Step Counts for Epilepsy / Epilepsy Foundation Western/Central Pennsylvania / PITTSBURGH, PA / June 25, 2011";
"FIGHT EPILEPSY / WITH YOUR / HEART AND SOLE. / PIRATES / GOING THE DISTANCE / FOR EPILEPSY / 5K RUN/2 MILE WALK / SATURDAY, JUNE 23, 2001 / EPILEPSY / FOUNDATION / WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA / gsk / GlaxoSmithKline / NOVARTIS / RITE / AID / WTAE-TV / PITTSBURGH / 4 / star / 100.7 / ...";
"Anyone with a brain can have a seizure.";
"Eleventh Annual / PIRATES / Family fun Run/Walk / EPILEPSY FOUNDATION / WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA";
"SEIZE BACK YOUR VOICE".

Viewer's right column, front top to bottom:
"BENDER / CONSULTING SERVICES, INC. / 10th Anniversary";
"FUN / RUN-WALK / Every Step Counts for Epilepsy / Epilepsy Foundation Western/Central Pennsylvania / PITTSBURGH, PA / June 19, 2010";
"SEIZE BACK THE DAY";
"FUN / RUN-WALK / Every Step Counts for Epilepsy / Epilepsy Foundation Western/Central Pennsylvania / PITTSBURGH, PA / June 11, 2005";
"SEIZE BACK YOUR LIFE";
"EVERY STEP COUNTS. / The Pirates Family Fun Run/Walk / for Epilepsy / June 19, 2004 / EPILEPSY / FOUNDATION / WESTERN/CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA".

The seven T-shirts with the Pirate Parrot have "PIRATES" on the front of the mascot's jersey.
MarksReverse has white label in the viewer's bottom left corner with printed red and black text "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JOYCE / With Love, / The Bender Employees & Ambassadors / December 2011 / Made by: Sophia Aggas".
Historical NotesEpilepsy walk T-shirt quilt made by Mike Aggas' mother, Sophia Aggas, because Joyce Bender procured Mike employment. The dates on the T-shirts range from 2001-2011. New Galilee, Pennsylvania native Joyce Bender worked as an IT recruiter in Pittsburgh in the 1980s. A request to train students with disabilities in resume writing and interviewing at the Community College of Allegheny County’s Institute of Handicapped Children led to a pivot in her career. Joyce realized that people with disabilities were underemployed and not utilizing their skills and degrees. She started Bender Consulting which focused on finding competitive employment for people with disabilities in the IT sector. As an adult, Bender was diagnosed with epilepsy and lost hearing in her right ear as a result of fall related to a seizure. Through Bender’s advocacy, CCAC rebranded this program as the Institute of Advanced Technology. She became known for her saying, “People with disabilities need paychecks not pity.”

Previous owner Joyce Cilitti Bender

Related institution Bender Consulting Services, Inc.

Related institution Pittsburgh Pirates (founded 1887)

Related institution Rite Aid Corporation

Related institution WTAE-TV

Related institution GlaxoSmithKline

Related institution Novartis

Related institution WBZZ 100.7