I liken her to a great oak tree, marked with much wear yet possessing in her soul enduring strength ... Jane Elizabeth Manning (1822 – 1908)
All Prints Come Rolled without a Frame
The Story
Jane Elizabeth Manning James (1822 – 1908), fondly known as "Aunt Jane", was one of the first recorded African-American women to enter Utah. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and lived with Joseph Smith and his family for a time in Nauvoo, Illinois.
I could not let go of this drawing; it remains as part of my private collection. You can see life swimming in her eyes. She is very beautiful to me. Her wrinkles, drooping skin, and eyelids reveal all her life experiences. I liken her to a great oak tree, marked with much wear yet possessing in her soul enduring strength.
