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President Obama's Accomplishments Blanket
Image courtesy of the Barack Obama Presidential Library
President Obama's Accomplishments Blanket
Image courtesy of the Barack Obama Presidential Library

President Obama's Accomplishments Blanket

Artifact SeriesDomestic Gifts
Artifact IDDO.130089.1
Object Type Blanket
Artist/ Maker
Gifter
Intended Recipient (American, 1961)
Date November 2016
Medium yarn, plastic
DimensionsOverall - 2D L 85 1/2 in x W 55 in (139.7 cm x 217.2 cm )
Physical DescriptionColorful crocheted blanket with squares symbolizing President Obama's accomplishments and historic moments during his presidency. The border is tan and the center square depicts President Obama's face. Additional squares depict symbols for military branches, a hibiscus for his home state Hawaii, a ribbon for Sandy Hook, a button for the Dream Act, the logo of Harvard University, the symbols for Chicago sports teams, and words such as "Hope," "Faith," and "Change," among others.
Historical NoteThis quilt was made by women incarcerated at Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Dublin in collaboration with the CAN-DO Foundation, an organization that advocates for legal reform and clemency for people serving harsh prison sentences for drug convictions. According to correspondence with the gift, the goal was to "commemorate President Obama's legacy of compassion in a quilt made by the prisoners, relative to Clemency Project 2014."

One of the organizers wrote, "Our thank you to President Obama. The idea was for the blanket to tell a story that touched on the things that mattered to him. We included the things he likes. We are greatly appreciative for President Obama restoring hope to our days. Here in Dublin, we saw hope and faith elevated to new levels each time mercy was shown... There has never been this much positive energy stirring inside this prison. There's never been so much hope and gratitude expressed. It's turned our lives of desperation and gloom into dreams of what might be."
Custodial History / ProvenanceThe item was a gift from a member of the general public to President Barack Obama during the Obama Administration. It was received through the Office of the President and maintained there until its transfer to the National Archives in January 2017 for deposit with the Obama Presidential Library. Additional Details
National Archives Catalog CollectionBarack Obama Artifact Collection (National Archives Identifier 63542091)
National Archives Catalog SeriesDomestic Gifts (National Archives Identifier 66540613)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - Possibly
Use Restriction NoteCopyright or other proprietary rights may be held by individuals or entities other than the Obama Presidential Library. The Obama Presidential Library does not warrant that the use of materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions. Pertinent regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R 1254.62.
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