All That She Carried

In 1850s South Carolina, an enslaved woman named Rose faces the heartbreaking sale of her daughter, Ashley. In a desperate bid to protect her, Rose packs a cotton bag with a few precious items for her daughter—items that would be the last connection between them before Ashley is sold away at just nine years old. Decades later, Ashley’s granddaughter, Ruth, embroiders this poignant family history on the very sack that once held their memories.

Historian Tiya Miles delves into the lives of these women, tracing their fragmented presence through archival records and, where history falls silent, turning to objects, art, and the environment to craft a vivid narrative of slavery, survival, and the uncertain journey to freedom. This evocative book honors the resourcefulness, creativity, and deep love that allowed enslaved families to preserve their bonds against overwhelming odds. Through the lens of this sack and its stories, All That She Carried serves as a testament to the resilience of Black women and offers a powerful vision of how we can reconstruct and honor their histories today.

National Book Award Winner