calsfoundation@cals.org
April 16, 2012
Born Effie Mae Martin in 1936, the Arkansas native became well known for her patchwork quilts. Her career as a practical nurse left her seeking peace of mind, which she found in her talents as a quilt maker. When some of her work was about to be exhibited in the 1970s, she assumed the name Rosie Lee Tompkins to maintain her privacy. Large numbers of quilters have been influenced by her work. The quilt shown here is titled Blue Medallion.