The Clothesline Project

The Clothesline Project is a compelling visual display that bears witness to the many forms of violence perpetrated against women and children. It is comprised of T-shirts designed by survivors of abuse. The project attempts to document the extent of violence against women and children. Creating and hanging a shirt on the clothesline offers survivors an opportunity to leave behind some of their pain and move to the next phase of their lives.

History
The Clothesline Project originated with 31 shirts in Hyannis, MA in 1990 through the Cape Cod Women's Agenda. A small group of women-many of whom had experienced violence in their own lives—designed the visual monument to help transform staggering statistics about violence against women and children into a powerful educational and healing tool. They decided to use a clothesline after discussing how many women in close-knit neighborhoods have traditionally exchanged information over backyard fences while hanging laundry out to dry. The Clothesline Project breaks the silence about violence against women and children by giving a voice to survivors and victims.