This Giltner-Moore Memorial Award is presented annually at
a few selected quilt shows by me, Marilyn (Moore) Bowlsby Maddalena Withrow, in memory of my maternal grandmother, Hattie
Elalia Gallaher Giltner, my paternal grandmother, Marguerite Harlow Moore, and my mother, Winifred Giltner Moore.
The award is given to the Most Meaningful Quilt -- the quilt that evokes emotions in the viewer and the quilt that was
obviously made with great feeling.
I was raised on a farm in Southern Iowa in the Town of
Albia by my maternal grandparents -- William Edward and Hattie E. Giltner -- while my father was overseas in World War
II and my mother was working as a PBX operator in town. As a very young child, I was taught to ride horses and work
on the farm. I grew up competing in many horse shows and parades, and was involved in church and community activities.
One of my chores on the farm was to gather eggs and care for the poultry, in return for which I was rewarded by
being allowed to ride the ponies. (I vividly recall trying to rope the chickens, since I was too little to rope horses.
Fortunately, I never caught one.)
My maternal grandmother was a quilter, and I remember
her handpiecing quilt squares while lying in bed due to a debilitating illness. Hattie raised five children and was
widowed three times -- each time, her husband died of injuries received from being kicked or dragged by a horse.
My paternal grandmother, Marguerite Harlow Moore, was
also a quilter, and I recall watching her quilt at the quilting frame, which I now have in my home. Marguerite
raised seven children as a single mother during the Depression, with help only from her sister, Myrta Harlow, who never married
but taught school all her life and helped Marguerite raise the children.
My mother was not a quilter, but she came to appreciate the beauty and history
of quilts during the last few years of her life. (She really didn't have a choice after she moved in with me!)
Sadly, she passed away in September of 2005 at the age of 92.
The strength of these women through adversity has greatly
influenced my life, and the love of quilting has been passed down to me by both grandmothers. I have chosen to
present this award as my way of honoring my strong women ancestors.
The Giltner-Moore Award in a slightly different form has also been presented for 14 years
at the Trinity County Fair, Hayfork, CA, to honor the Top Poultry Pen at the Junior Livestock Auction. This award honors
Marilyn's father, grandfather and uncles.
