Mary Ann Shadd Cary Scarf

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Glam up any look with this gorgeous Mary Ann Shadd Cary Scarf! Crafted from luxurious silk, this 36"x36" square scarf adds a touch of elegance to any outfit. Light weight and soft to the touch, this beautiful scarf is perfect for any occasion.  Who knew fashion could be so inspiring?

  • Single-side printed
  • Material: 100% silk charmeuse
  • Dimensions: 36 x 36 inch
  • Made in Canada
  • Care Instructions: Machine wash in cold water with ¼ cup of vinegar and 2 teaspoons of salt. Fill the washing machine with water (no ecocycle). Machine dry delicate or hang to dry. Can be ironed using the silk setting. Do not bleach. Can be dry cleaned.

Yung Yemi, Mary Ann Shadd, 2021

This work pays tribute to Mary Ann Shadd Cary (1823-1893), an American Canadian anti-slavery activist, journalist, publisher, teacher, and lawyer. Mary Ann Shadd was the first black woman publisher in North America and the first woman publisher in Canada. To honor her legacy, Toronto History Museums has created a range of exclusive products that will be sold at museum stores and online.

Yung Yemi's image is full of inspiring symbolism, including: a quilted shawl referencing underground railroad safehouses, purple, white, and gold colors symbolizing women's suffrage; a star on her crown representing the North Star of freedom; and Adinkra symbols from Ghana's Ashanti peoples on her earrings for wisdom, knowledge, freedom, and independence. The asterisk pattern on her inner shawl represents her authorship in her publication she did not initially put her name on the paper to avoid the scrutiny she would face as a woman publisher.

About the Artist

Yung Yemi, also known as Adeyemi Adegbesan, is a Toronto-based multi-disciplinary artist whose practice aims to examine the cultural intersectionalities within Black identity. Reflecting on Black cultural ideologies from pre-colonial, colonial, present-day and future timelines; across regions, religions, varying levels of income and political lines, Adegbesan examines the dichotomy of the richness of Black experiences with the imposed societal homogeneity of ‘Blackness’. Through his work Adegbesan pulls from these varying elements to create Afro-futuristic portraits that embody themes of history, fantasy, speculative futures, and spirituality.