Timeless Hats by Susie Mae Pugh-Williams: A Legacy of Creativity, Elegance, Reverence & Resilience

Timeless Hats  

by Susie Mae Pugh-Williams:  A Legacy of Creativity, Elegance, Reverence & Resilience 

January 29 – August 15, 2026 

Curated by Dr. Irma McClaurin, PhD and Bobby C. Williams, Jr. 

Hats or ‘crowns’ as they are known in African American communities, are an essential part of African American culture. They have played a key role in African American life from enslavement to modern day as symbols of reverence in houses of worship or resilience and resistance in times of enslavement and freedom. 

Susie Mae-Pugh Williams (1949 – 2020) was born and raised in Mobile, AL. She taught herself the art of millinery (hat making) and created hats, wraps, fascinators, and other headwear for herself, friends, and clients. Those creations would have been worn to church or for events such as weddings, Mardi Gras festivities, and other celebrations.  

 This exhibition contains over two dozen hats that were made by Mrs. Williams or that she admired and drew inspiration from for her own creations.