Texie Adrienne Washington and Elya Stumbaugh
The Story
Texie Adrienne Washington
Texie Washington
Chicago, IL
Survivor
Twist on Cancer: Hello, I'm Texie Washington and I'm a 13-year breast cancer survivor I was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Her 2 Breast Cancer Stage 2 in July 2010.
Before my diagnoses, I was a working mother and wife with two loving daughters. I've always worked in a male-dominated industry as a tradeswoman. I worked for Peoples Gas Light & Coke Company—I held this role working out of the North shop in Chicago for 32 years. I retired in 2021 as a Senior Service Specialist, where I serviced emergency gas calls from customers. This has been a rewarding career and the knowledge I've learned in this career has allowed me to take my knowledge to volunteer with several organizations. City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs Chicago Greeter State of Illinois Breast Cancer Task Force and Equal Hope Warriors Talk All About Pink' Pink Diamonds ETC.
Chicago, IL
Survivor
Twist on Cancer: Hello, I'm Texie Washington and I'm a 13-year breast cancer survivor I was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Her 2 Breast Cancer Stage 2 in July 2010.
Before my diagnoses, I was a working mother and wife with two loving daughters. I've always worked in a male-dominated industry as a tradeswoman. I worked for Peoples Gas Light & Coke Company—I held this role working out of the North shop in Chicago for 32 years. I retired in 2021 as a Senior Service Specialist, where I serviced emergency gas calls from customers. This has been a rewarding career and the knowledge I've learned in this career has allowed me to take my knowledge to volunteer with several organizations. City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs Chicago Greeter State of Illinois Breast Cancer Task Force and Equal Hope Warriors Talk All About Pink' Pink Diamonds ETC.
Elya Stumbaugh
Evanston, IL
Social Media: @awildintrov.art
“Planet Texie”
Ink on canvas with spray painted hardhat
38” x 38” x 6” (includes 1” around frame)
$600
Artist Statement: Do you remember everyone who checks your gas meter, or the workers who paved your sidewalk? If one of those people was Texie Washington, you’re sure to never forget her. With her pink breast-cancer hardhat and an openness to share her experience and knowledge, Texie has taken all of her jobs in stride as a proud tradeswoman. I loved getting the opportunity to learn about her work and her life, including her experience as a Black woman in jobs often occupied by men. She’s a natural storyteller, and her descriptions of the people she’s met can conjure them in the room and make you feel as if you know them as well as she does. Now retired from her gas company, Texie does what she’s always done, even before her breast cancer diagnosis 13 years ago: travel, volunteer, and connect with people.
All throughout Texie’s life, people have been drawn to her like she has her own gravitational force. The number of people she’s impacted through her jobs and volunteer work is incalculable; each “dot” on this piece is a fingerprint representing Texie’s influence. The pink hardhat in the center is an homage to her actual hardhat, as well as her 30+ years of work in Chicago.
Social Media: @awildintrov.art
“Planet Texie”
Ink on canvas with spray painted hardhat
38” x 38” x 6” (includes 1” around frame)
$600
Artist Statement: Do you remember everyone who checks your gas meter, or the workers who paved your sidewalk? If one of those people was Texie Washington, you’re sure to never forget her. With her pink breast-cancer hardhat and an openness to share her experience and knowledge, Texie has taken all of her jobs in stride as a proud tradeswoman. I loved getting the opportunity to learn about her work and her life, including her experience as a Black woman in jobs often occupied by men. She’s a natural storyteller, and her descriptions of the people she’s met can conjure them in the room and make you feel as if you know them as well as she does. Now retired from her gas company, Texie does what she’s always done, even before her breast cancer diagnosis 13 years ago: travel, volunteer, and connect with people.
All throughout Texie’s life, people have been drawn to her like she has her own gravitational force. The number of people she’s impacted through her jobs and volunteer work is incalculable; each “dot” on this piece is a fingerprint representing Texie’s influence. The pink hardhat in the center is an homage to her actual hardhat, as well as her 30+ years of work in Chicago.