My Destiny

After seeing Facebook photos of the doll-making stages of an adorable felt doll by Rachel McCullough Sherrod of Starkey's Daughter Cloth Dolls and knowing about her plans to make a special edition of little girl dolls, I asked Rachel if that doll was one of the planned dolls.  Her answer informed me this particular doll was the doll she had promised to make for me.  Having self-sabotaged my own surprise, I was ecstatic!

Destiny by Starkey's Daughter Cloth Dolls

Destiny arrived on Monday, October 3rd and is more adorable in person than I could have ever imagined.  Her 12-inch height is perfect for the size dolls I currently collect due to lack of space for larger ones.

This doll is inspired by young Ruby Bridges, who in 1960 played a pivotal role in school desegregation as the first Black child to attend William Frantz Elementary School and the first African American child to attend a white school in Louisiana.  Because many white community members displayed hostile opposition toward school desegregation, for her safety, young Ruby Bridges was escorted to school by U. S. Marshals.  Little Ruby also received one-on-one teaching from her first grade teacher because white parents did not want their children in the same class with her.   In fact, many sent their children to other schools altogether!  The blessing in all of this is that the escorts and one-on-one teaching made Ruby feel she was receiving special attention; it also shielded her from the surrounding hatred and bigotry.

Ruby's escort-to-school experience is depicted in the 1963 oil-on-canvas painting, "The Problem We All Live With" by Norman Rockwell.   The painting was later an illustration in the January 14, 1964, issue of Look magazine.  (The video at the end of this post explores Rockwell's painting.)

Destiny wears a white dress, white lace-trimmed undies, white socks, and white sneakers.

She has three squared-off braids (one on top, plaited to the side; and two in back).

Tiny gold tone hoops are perfect for her earlobes.

Her hang tag and artist's information are attached to her left wrist.

The inside of her hang tag bears her handwritten name and an area for her price, which Rachel filled in with a heart.  ♥

Because she is a school girl, Destiny temporarily borrowed the composition notebook, yellow-lined tablet, and a pencil from Hearts 4 Hearts Rahel.

For several reasons (some of which are listed below), I am deeply honored to own Rachel's handmade doll representation of that brave little girl, Ruby Bridges.

• Rachel took the time to make Destiny with her talented hands as a gift from the heart...
• ...with love...
• ...just for me; and because...
• ...the doll represents the young girl whose "destiny" was to help pave the way for school desegregation in the South, she is a welcome addition to my collection.

Thank you again, Rachel.  I will forever treasure my Destiny.

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