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Thinking about Harriet Tubman

In this post I am pulling together info and shopping links for the works I have made for Harriet Tubman. I have written here about the creation of these designs.

I have some friends who are leading a special Harriet Tubman tour in Maryland this November (2025) to celebrate Maryland Emancipation Day. You can sign up for the tour at this link. Maryland Emancipation Day marks the anniversary of the state’s 1864 abolition of slavery, an act that predated the 13th Amendment.

On Saturday, November 1, and Saturday, November 8, 2025, professional guides Lauri Williamson and Ella Schiralli will lead guests on a full-day, immersive experience through the landscapes that shaped Tubman’s courage and calling.

Here are the works I have made for Harriet Tubman, and links for you to purchase.

FEAR LESS Shirt for Harriet Tubman

Made in England from my original design. This is digital fabric printing, then cut and sewn. The fabric is a soft wicking recycled polyester. These European sizes run small, so size up when ordering. The cut is a ladies style. While supplies last, since I probably won’t be able to reorder from England at the same cost. Here is a checkout link, I don’t have these on Etsy.

All-over print, cut, and sew, made in England.

FEARLESS shawl and scarf for Harriet Tubman

These stunning FEARLESS shawl and scarf are based on the life and message of Harriet Tubman. You own your own body. It depicts photographs I made in the Eastern Shore region of Maryland (where Tubman was from); the word “FEARLESS”; a facsimile of the advertisement Harriet’s enslaver took out in the newspaper after she fled for freedom the first time; a printer’s dingbat depicting a fleeing enslaved woman that was regularly used in such advertisements; the shape of hands enclosing the image of sun streaming through trees; and the words “I looked down at my hands to see if I was the same person.” This last quote is from Bradford’s biography of Harriet Tubman. When Harriet emancipated herself for the first time, she crossed over the water into Pennsylvania, “and there was sun coming through the trees and glory over everything, and I looked down at my hands to see if I was the same person.” And she wasn’t, because she owned her own body for the first time in her life. A portion of the proceeds goes to Polaris, a leader in the global fight to eradicate modern slavery. This shawl and scarf is digitally printed in the USA in small quantities. The material is a lightweight and diaphanous poly chiffon. The edges are finished in a rolled serged hem. Approximately 36 inches high and 90 inches long (shawl) and 16 inches high and 90 inches long (scarf). Machine wash gently, hang dry.

Link to purchase shawl or scarf.

FEARLESS shawl for Harriet Tubman, photo © Suzanne Kulperger
“Fearless” shawl honoring Harriet Tubman
“Fearless” scarf honoring Harriet Tubman

FEAR LESS print designs for Harriet Tubman

This print design I made in 2017, inspired by the visiting card photo that had been recently discovered. I have prints, stickers, and magnets based on this design. You can order from this listing.

FEARLESS for Harriet Tubman, a perSISTERS print in the Female Power Project

FEARLESS print design for Harriet Tubman

Here is a print design based more on the shawl design. You can order it here.

FEARLESS for Harriet Tubman, a perSISTERS print variation in the Female Power Project read about it

FEAR LESS tote bag too!

A mix of the print design and the shawl design, like the shirts. Photos show both sides of the tote bag on my mannequin, Mrs. Jones. Made in the U.S. Digital print on poly canvas, adjustable strap. Can be worn cross body or over the shoulder. This is a roughly 18 inch square bag, ~3 to 4 inch wide, open at the top, with a zippered compartment inside, and two small open sleeve compartments. I put my wallet in the zippered pouch, my phone in one of the sleeves, and my keys in the other sleeve. I make only a few at a time, so limited edition. You can order it here.

The DC Rat Flag

I made a new design based on the District of Columbia flag. It has rats instead of stars. This is a parody. Rats are very present in most cities now. They aren’t afraid of people. They live their rat lives amongst us. We can’t really control them. They are admirably smart. They are also disgusting. C’est la vie.

I am in the middle of shifting my production from a printer on the west coast to east coast USA made organic sustainable shirts printed in my studio in DC. For this reason the price has increased. But it’s a better shirt with more ethical impact! I still have a few of the older versions I am selling until they are gone. So for now I have two listings on my Etsy shop for this shirt. I will be bringing two versions to markets until the older model is all sold out.

People have been having a strong reaction to this design. They either burst out laughing or cringe in disgust. Some people don’t like me messing with their flag. Some people are absolutely sure they want to wear that. Some people don’t want to have to think about rats anymore. They have had experiences with rats.

One woman told me she had to wash her car engine because rats had moved into her car and they left an impossible smell when she expelled them. She thought the shirt was clever but I don’t think she wanted to have it on her body.

A local DJ bought two, one white one for summer and a black one for cooler times.

People asked if there was something else I had the Rat Flag on, so I made some stickers.

This is not part of the Female Power Project. I looked up to see if rats are matriarchal or something, but no. They aren’t THAT admirable. So this is part of a series (maybe) that I am calling #DCisReal. Let’s see where this goes. This would be DC things, like that stuff for tourists, but these are for locals. What do you think?

If you try to order from the links in the captions and something is out of stock, please check back in a week. I am getting this restocked a few at a time because cash flow.

I’ve put the shirts on my etsy shop, here is the link USA made with Organic cotton, printed by me in DC.

DC Rat Flag on organic white cotton shirt, unisex sizing. Order at this link: https://square.link/u/utDFsqzn
DC Rat Flag on organic black cotton shirt, unisex sizing. Order at this link: https://square.link/u/9LdpbSqa
Vinyl Rat Flag stickers, red on white, 3 inches wide and 1.75 inches tall with rounded corners. Order at this link: https://square.link/u/2sXyu5H5
This is what the DC flag really looks like
OLDER VERSION Size chart for DC Rat Flag tee shirts. Click image to link to more legible image.
Sizing for the new organic shirts made in the USA. Click image to link to more legible image.

Welcome to the Female Power Outlet

Here at Black Lab art studio you will find The Female Power Outlet, a creative laboratory and emporium. In Brookland DC since 2014, Black Lab is the “In Real Life” public shopping experience and workspace of word and digital artist, Leda Black (Creatrix).

This year, 2024, I have rearranged and reimagined this space to emphasize the Wearables in the Female Power Project, but also show the other things as they come into being. I have made so many things and I can’t lug all of them to markets anymore so I’m putting more energy and creativity into making this space into a transformative female power situation.

Going forward I am placing less energy into bringing my art to the markets (with smaller targeted product offerings) and instead will be bringing the market inside the art. It will be changing all the time. Every one of these things is a message. These phrases are open. Come see them and let’s see where this goes.

Black Lab is at 716 Monroe St NE, Studio 16, Washington DC. It is one of 27 creative spaces on the pedestrian Arts Walk that is park of the Monroe Street Market development at the border of the Edgewood/Brookland neighborhoods.

The Female Power Outlet is open to the public many Fridays (1:00–7:00) and Saturdays (10:00–4:00), also by appointment or chance (I make work here). Only Female Power Project works are sold here, there is no reselling. A visitor called it a “singular vision.”

The Arts Walk hosts a vibrant farmers market on Saturdays year round and many studios are open to the public then. We also put on events about five times a year. Here is the link to the events calendar.

You can check the Black Lab art studio Facebook page for the weekly schedule at facebook.com/BlackLab or scroll down to see the facebook widget at the bottom of this page. I always post weekend plans on Instagram posts and stories and on the facebook pages.

(Next I will revamp the pathetic Wearables page on this blog, I promise.)

The Female Power Outlet right now. Pictured… Coat of Many Colors cardigan duster, perSISTERS banners, message pouches, shirts, scarves, artwork from “The Woman Who Gave Birth to Herself” shawl for Frida Kahlo

The Female Power Outlet right now. Pictured… perSISTERS prints on canvas and paper, framed literary lionesses bookmarks, DIVINES kimono jackets in crushed velour: Dove and La Guadalupana

The Female Power Outlet right now. Pictured… Anarchist onesies, hand beaded Ruby Bridges shirt. I’ve been experimenting with embellishing the shirts.

The Female Power Outlet right now. Pictured… Chairubs, Queen of Flower World Clock, DIVINES kimono jacket in crushed velour for the goddess Isis.