Comfort in Tea

Elizabeth Carter

Elizabeth Carter’s collection started when she left high school early one day, not feeling well and needing help. Her mother was not at home, so she visited a neighbor who provided her assistance and comfort in the form of a cup of tea. This first cup of tea and all those Liz has sipped since have come to symbolize security and care, especially when she wasn’t feeling well. Liz’s tea collection started with individual packets of Lipton, back when you could buy tea in individual packages that she shared with her mother and sisters. Six decades later, Liz’s tea collection, which she keeps in a special kitchen drawer, has grown and diversified. Liz’s favorite teas to collect are those she has never seen before whether loose or in tea bags or whether from Walmart, Virginia, or the international teas gifted from friends on their travels to Russia and Africa. Liz especially enjoys traveling to local tea shops to enjoy a formal tea experience including the Fort Hunter Christmas Tea. She looks for tea parties to attend with friends wherever she can find them. Liz’s favorite teas include cinnamon and orange spice. Liz shared that years ago she was inspired by a church course on mentoring women to write to Jane, the woman who tended to her those many years before, to thank her for serving her that first cup of tea which has become a lasting symbol of love and comfort.

Memories & Inspiration: The Kerry and C. Betty Davis Collection of African American Art is organized and toured by International Arts & Artists.