Gloria comes from a prolific line of Master Weavers. She says, “My work is dedicated to the ancestors for making the sacrifice in preserving and teaching their offspring.” She grew up near Ganado Mesa, in Snakeflat. Her family’s clan is Coyote Pass-Jemez Pueblo. And her passion for weaving started early when she was taught by her mother and grandmother to weave at 3 years old. Gloria grew up watching her family shearing sheep, cleaning the fleece, carting, hand spinning and vegetable-dyeing wool.
Gloria’s late grandmother was Navajo Master Weaver, Grace Henderson Nez born north of Kinlichee, in Northern Arizona on the Navajo Reservation. Grace is the recipient of the prestigious National Endowment for the Arts Award for 2005. She raised hundreds of merino sheep for years, however due to the Livestock Reduction Act, later she was forced to only raise thirty head of sheep.
Gloria’s mother is Navajo Master Weaver Mary Henderson Begay. Mary is the recipient of the Living Legend Award 2018, Arizona Governors Award. Mary worked for over forty years at Hubbell Trading Post, National Historic Site in Ganado, Arizona. She retired in 2005. Mary was commissioned by the Gloria F. Ross Tapestries for several weavings designed by Kenneth Noland.
