This paper profiles Faith Ringgold. The opening line of the beloved story "Tar Beach" resonates with the optimism that characterizes author-artist Faith Ringgold's outlook on life. Faith Ringgold has always cherished the inspiration found in stories of overcoming adversity--and her own family history is a revelation of strong women figures. Faith's mother, Willi, was a fashion designer and seamstress who successfully supported her family; Faith's great-grandmother and great-great grandmother were quilt makers who passed down their skills to the next generation. Evolving beauty into the world, stitch by stitch, was a task that resulted in a constructive outcome, providing cohesiveness in spite of poverty, slavery, and other adversities. Her artwork is best known through the quilt medium which often frames her paintings. Always innovative in approach, she recognized the potential for quilts as an economical means to ship her paintings after viewing Tibetan "tankas" in Amsterdam. Untiring at age seventy-seven, she continues to give lectures and loves to meet her fans, patiently and enthusiastically encouraging them to pursue their dreams. One of her favorite gifts to the public is her willingness to sit and sign books, often inscribing them with the simple and profound message so meaningful into her work: "You Can Fly!"