Her Own Distinct Self

In the Middle Ages, the term “spinster” referred to women who spun thread for a living. These craftswomen were remarkable in their ability to support themselves at a time when women were generally limited to roles of mother, wife, or nun. A growing portion of women today are choosing to stay single and embrace the power they can wield as women who do not prioritize the approval of men. They are able to find fulfillment in their professions, hobbies, and close friendships with other women. I hope this book will serve as the beginning of a reclamation of the term “spinster” and a reminder of the power women can hold as individuals and a collective. 

This collection of texts illustrates the problem and opportunity of spinsters. Primarily written by women, I have selected these works to introduce the history of single women, how they are depicted in media, and the kind of power they can wield as women’s rights have expanded over time.

Physical stitches through each page of the book reflect the emotional tension associated with each section. The number of lines increases with each chapter up until the section on women in popular culture at which point they begin to decrease as the texts transition from explaining the problem to pointing toward a possible solution.

This project brings together carefully selected texts and images in an attempt to reclaim the spinster label and celebrate the possibilities of a world where each woman lives for her own distinct self.