John McCain’s “It’s Time for Action Tour” tour brought him to Gee’s Bend, Alabama yesterday where he met members of the famed Gee’s Bend Quilters Collective who, in greeting him, sang “Do Lord, Do Remember Me.” As one of the “Forgotten Places in America” on McCain’s tour, we at Shallow Nation are glad that the Gee’s Bend Quilters Collective is receiving media attention.

The Gee’s Bend Quilters Collective is made up of four generations of African American women who create quilts, bringing money into the community. They have gained national acclaim as their quilts have been exhibited in museums across the country. In 2006, the U.S. Postal Service issued commemorative stamps featuring Gee’s Bend quilts.

“I have heard of this wonderful place and I know that it has a place in history. I know Dr. [Martin Luther] King was here before the march in Selma, so they stopped running the Ferry. Now the ferry is running and I intend to ride the ferry back,” he said. McCain then pulled a check from his wallet and handed it to the quilters, toured the facility and shopped.

Source: McCain Meets Gee’s Bend Quilters

Here is the CBS news video of the Gee’s Bend Quilters singing “Do Lord, Do Remember Me” as John McCain arrives.

Here is a local Alabama TV news report of John McCain’s visit to the Gee’s Bend Quilters Collective.

Here is the John McCain campaign spot featuring the Gee’s Bend Quilters Collective and documenting this stop, entitled “Day 1: It’s Time for Action Tour”

Learn more about the Gee’s Bend Quilter’s Collective in this documentary. Visit the Gee’s Bend Quilter’s Collective Web site for much more information and photographs.