Patch suggested by Hannah and designed and sewn by her friend Kara Byrne; writing by Hannah and Kara

I asked my friend Kara Byrne, who studied in Argentina, to make a patch about Las Madres de la Plaza de Mayo, one of the most visible Latin American women’s groups.  These women have been marching every Thursday for 25 years, demanding information about their sons’ (and other family members’) disappearances during the military rule of 1976-1983.  The short story Kara refers to in the following explanation is called “Arriving at the Plaza” by Matilde Mellibovsky.”[1]  The story’s focus on the history and memory of both the disappeared and the Plaza itself through the eyes of women particularly struck me. 

Without further ado, here’s Kara:

First I'd like to say why this patch was important to me.  Having studied in Argentina and specifically met and studied Las Madres, it is important to me that their story be told.  That is of course, my reason for including them in my play.  There's so little consciousness in this country (about anything international but that’s a subject for another time) about Argentine politics and the role of Las Madres in their history.  Because of my attachment to Argentina and my experience marching with Las Madres, the subject of the patch was close to my heart.  I also really appreciated the story in the way it highlighted the history of the plaza because the history of a location shows so much about the sociological and cultural history, particularly in this case.

I chose to do the patch in red because the plaza is the heart of the city and the work Las Madres do there is really putting their hearts into the public sphere.  I thought about putting a heart on there but the red represents the heart and puts the "marching area" at the center.  The circle is at the center because it is the center of my focus and where Las Madres march, thus where they place the emphasis.  The circular shape also represents the circular nature of life and the life cycle.  A lot of the patch is about the cycle of life, the continuation of Las Madres' work and the connection between the generations.  At the center of the circle is a clock which show 3:30 as the time, the time at which Las Madres march.  The clock also alludes to the marcation of time at the same time that it shows the timelessness.

The people are the mothers- older women wearing the white handkerchiefs which serve as a silent symbol of their pure role in the country, a younger woman who represents the mid-aged generation (children of Las Madres and the age of many of those who disappeared) and then there is the boy on his tricycle.  This shows again, the connection of the generations and the continuation of life.  As the story says, the laughter and playing of children is so important in the plaza because it’s a reminder that “they” didn’t win, that the work of Las Madres helped to preserve life.  The boy also comes from a boy that was riding his tricycle behind the group of walkers when I went.  It was such a stirring visual image.  Also, I have to admit that I chose brown hair for the mid-aged woman intentionally partly because I was thinking of myself and my experience marching with Las Madres.  It was so intense.

The title “Vivir combatiendo la injusticia” comes from Las Madres’ motto, to live combating injustice.  I thought it was appropriate because its states their purpose and also sends a message.  I picked blue because the t-shirts and signs Las Madres has are blue.  Unfortunately, I’m not sure why they chose blue.

The story said a lot about the various uses of the plaza.  The milk bottle represents the days when the plaza was used as an open market.  The picket sign relates to the political protest, both from Las Madres and other groups that has and continues to take place there.  I think the fire was from a fire that took place and was recounted in the story.  But for me it also represents the firey spirit of the Argentine people and the controversy over the events that take place in that space.  The tango dancers represent the fact that the plaza has been used for entertainment.  The little pink house is La Casa Rosada, the presidential building.  Then the hands represent working together, connection and reaching out to and helping others.  There is also a tree which represents the Tree of Life that was planted near the plaza as a memorial to the disappeared.