Dear Judy Chicago,
You gave us a seat at the table when many others were afraid to do so. You brought our womanhood in the forefront to accept nothing but acknowledgement. Til this day you are still welcoming generation after generation to “The Dinner Party”. Something that was introduced in San Francisco found a permanent home in Brooklyn. During that journey, I came to my first dinner party. A primary school child mesmerized by the work not yet able to comprehend what I was looking at. Throughout my life I will come to the dinner party learning more and getting deeper understanding of the guests on the table, always seeing something new at every visit. One day I made the move to be near you, using my BROOKLYN weekend mornings as opportunities to attend the dinner party, until I became bold enough to participate. For many years I have hosted my own dinner party, having an amazing variety of guests, bringing together professional dancers, software engineers, feminists, abortion doctors and artists. People from Brazil, Spain, Holland and Long Island sitting at a table participating in an act you started. You have helped bring New Yorkers from all walks of life together, if they are permanent residents or seizing the New Yorker title for a moment. Thank you for this gift, thank you for giving me a voice, thank you for allowing me to continue “The Dinner Party”. It lives one within the walls of New York community centers, homes, and sanctuaries. In these spaces we are able to provide more seats at the table you built in 1979 up til this day in 2019.
Love,
Majella Mark,
Met God, She’s Black
