Protestant Church
Represents the Steger family’s devotion and love for the Christian faith and church activism
Named Participant List
The original court transcript of the lawsuit plaintiff list reads: "Frances Stiger, Margaret Stiger, Jean Stiger, Harrietta Stiger, and Peggy Stiger, infants, by Harry Stiger, their father and next friend,"
Corbin et al. v. County School Board of Pulaski County, VA. et al. Plaintiff List (courtesy of the District Court of the United States for the Western District of Virginia Roanoke Division)
Heart
The heart symbolizes the importance of love and caring in the family. The heart is connected to all the pictures of the Steger sisters. The Steger family, especially the Steger sisters, had a deep sense of love and care for each other. This heart and all the other motifs on the quilt can only represent a fraction of the love and familial bond found in this family.
Steger Family Photo
Four generations of Steger Women are pictured, including (from left to right) “Big Ma” Ossie Steger, Jean Steger, Bryce Matthews, and Mia Matthews.
Click Here to Watch
Photo of Peggy Steger Meadows
Peggy Steger Meadows, pictured on her wedding day, married Arthur Lee Meadows on June 2, 1962, at Slaughter’s Chapel Methodist Church in Draper. Rev. H.L Johnson officiated the wedding.
"Peggy Steger Becomes Bride" The Southwest Times, June 13, 1962, page 2
Railroad Tracks
Before the Civil War, almost every railroad built in the American South was constructed using slave labor. During the Civil War, the U.S. Military Railroads Department employed many African Americans to support Union efforts in transporting goods to the North. After emancipation, the South struggled economically and needed to rebuild during Reconstruction. The South was accustomed to free labor, so it turned to cheap convict labor to build railroads. Depending on the area, the majority of these convicts could be Black. The work involved in this labor was often dangerous and exposed workers to harmful chemicals. Although almost no records exist, historians are confident that Black workers directly contributed to completing the Transcontinental Railroad. The railroad tracks have multiple meanings for the Steger Family, such as “Big Daddy” Harry Steger, who worked for the Norfolk & Western Railway. The railroad was close to the Steger Family farm and community.
Philippians 4:13 Scripture
This is an inspirational and powerful biblical verse for the Steger family, both past and present: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” This verse echoes the Steger family’s belief that faith in Christ empowers them to face any challenge through God’s strength.
Picture of “Big Ma” Ossie Steger on the Steger Family Farm
Our nation’s history reflects the many barriers to land ownership and financial independence for Black farmers due to widespread racial discrimination. Sharecropping and discriminatory New Deal policies perpetuated generational debt, making it harder for Black farmers to thrive. However, Black farmers began to use their ingenuity and resilience to form cooperatives and support their community. By 1954, 129,854 non-white farmers in the South wholly owned and operated their farms. Ossie was raised, alongside her siblings, on a farm in Allisonia, relocating to Draper when she married Harry. This photo was likely captured on her family's farm.
Jean Steger
Jean Steger was the third eldest daughter who signed onto the Corbin et al. v. County School Board of Pulaski County, VA. et al. (1947) lawsuit
Jean Steger (courtesy of Jenene Saunders Lewis)
Photo of Harrietta Steger
Harrietta Steger, 1950s-60s (courtesy of Jenene Saunders Lewis)
Pound Cake
Line drawing of a pound cake, as it was a family favorite. The Stegers have fond memories of eating the family’s recipe for pound cake during holidays and other special occasions. Food has always been much more than food in Black households and communities. Food represents an opportunity to bond, connect, and share traditions with younger generations. Black Americans share a rich culinary history that has followed them. Many traditional foods in black homes stem from times of economic hardship, incentivizing cooks to create the most economical food that could be made cheaply and yield high results. Food also created an opportunity for expression among Black Americans, as they could blend West African dishes with Western dishes, creating a uniquely Black American cuisine.
Steger Family Photo
The photo includes (from left to right) “Big Daddy” Harry Steger, Margaret, Peggy, Frances, Jean, Harrietta, and “Big Ma” Ossie Steger (courtesy of of Jenene Saunders Lewis)
Click Here to Watch
Steger Family Photo
Steger Family Photo, 2021 (courtesy of Jenene Saunders Lewis)
Symbolizes the importance of family gatherings and togetherness carried out through the generations of the Steger family, a family with close familial bonds and connections that strengthen over the generations.
Steger Family
Jill Williams
Created on August 25, 2025
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Transcript
Protestant Church
Represents the Steger family’s devotion and love for the Christian faith and church activism
Named Participant List
The original court transcript of the lawsuit plaintiff list reads: "Frances Stiger, Margaret Stiger, Jean Stiger, Harrietta Stiger, and Peggy Stiger, infants, by Harry Stiger, their father and next friend,"
Corbin et al. v. County School Board of Pulaski County, VA. et al. Plaintiff List (courtesy of the District Court of the United States for the Western District of Virginia Roanoke Division)
Heart
The heart symbolizes the importance of love and caring in the family. The heart is connected to all the pictures of the Steger sisters. The Steger family, especially the Steger sisters, had a deep sense of love and care for each other. This heart and all the other motifs on the quilt can only represent a fraction of the love and familial bond found in this family.
Steger Family Photo
Four generations of Steger Women are pictured, including (from left to right) “Big Ma” Ossie Steger, Jean Steger, Bryce Matthews, and Mia Matthews.
Click Here to Watch
Photo of Peggy Steger Meadows
Peggy Steger Meadows, pictured on her wedding day, married Arthur Lee Meadows on June 2, 1962, at Slaughter’s Chapel Methodist Church in Draper. Rev. H.L Johnson officiated the wedding.
"Peggy Steger Becomes Bride" The Southwest Times, June 13, 1962, page 2
Railroad Tracks
Before the Civil War, almost every railroad built in the American South was constructed using slave labor. During the Civil War, the U.S. Military Railroads Department employed many African Americans to support Union efforts in transporting goods to the North. After emancipation, the South struggled economically and needed to rebuild during Reconstruction. The South was accustomed to free labor, so it turned to cheap convict labor to build railroads. Depending on the area, the majority of these convicts could be Black. The work involved in this labor was often dangerous and exposed workers to harmful chemicals. Although almost no records exist, historians are confident that Black workers directly contributed to completing the Transcontinental Railroad. The railroad tracks have multiple meanings for the Steger Family, such as “Big Daddy” Harry Steger, who worked for the Norfolk & Western Railway. The railroad was close to the Steger Family farm and community.
Philippians 4:13 Scripture
This is an inspirational and powerful biblical verse for the Steger family, both past and present: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” This verse echoes the Steger family’s belief that faith in Christ empowers them to face any challenge through God’s strength.
Picture of “Big Ma” Ossie Steger on the Steger Family Farm
Our nation’s history reflects the many barriers to land ownership and financial independence for Black farmers due to widespread racial discrimination. Sharecropping and discriminatory New Deal policies perpetuated generational debt, making it harder for Black farmers to thrive. However, Black farmers began to use their ingenuity and resilience to form cooperatives and support their community. By 1954, 129,854 non-white farmers in the South wholly owned and operated their farms. Ossie was raised, alongside her siblings, on a farm in Allisonia, relocating to Draper when she married Harry. This photo was likely captured on her family's farm.
Jean Steger
Jean Steger was the third eldest daughter who signed onto the Corbin et al. v. County School Board of Pulaski County, VA. et al. (1947) lawsuit
Jean Steger (courtesy of Jenene Saunders Lewis)
Photo of Harrietta Steger
Harrietta Steger, 1950s-60s (courtesy of Jenene Saunders Lewis)
Pound Cake
Line drawing of a pound cake, as it was a family favorite. The Stegers have fond memories of eating the family’s recipe for pound cake during holidays and other special occasions. Food has always been much more than food in Black households and communities. Food represents an opportunity to bond, connect, and share traditions with younger generations. Black Americans share a rich culinary history that has followed them. Many traditional foods in black homes stem from times of economic hardship, incentivizing cooks to create the most economical food that could be made cheaply and yield high results. Food also created an opportunity for expression among Black Americans, as they could blend West African dishes with Western dishes, creating a uniquely Black American cuisine.
Steger Family Photo
The photo includes (from left to right) “Big Daddy” Harry Steger, Margaret, Peggy, Frances, Jean, Harrietta, and “Big Ma” Ossie Steger (courtesy of of Jenene Saunders Lewis)
Click Here to Watch
Steger Family Photo
Steger Family Photo, 2021 (courtesy of Jenene Saunders Lewis)
Symbolizes the importance of family gatherings and togetherness carried out through the generations of the Steger family, a family with close familial bonds and connections that strengthen over the generations.