Ruby Bridges Tribute Doll by Gloria Y. Rone

After seeing the above October 3, 2023, Facebook announcement of Gloria Y. Rone's most recent Ruby Bridges tribute doll, I immediately messaged Gloria to inquire about the doll's availability. Because it was still available, arrangements for purchasing followed. 

My precious doll's arrival was delayed for a few days because, as Gloria explained through a Facebook Messenger update message, she made me a little something special to go along with Ruby. I had no idea what "the little something special" was but was quite thrilled that Gloria took the time to exercise even more of her creativity to make it for me.

Ruby's shipping box was delivered on the 2nd Saturday in October 2023, which was the day of my most recent Doll Chat (online) meeting. Gloria's name was mentioned by another member, prompting me to announce Ruby's arrival and that I had not opened the shipping box yet. (I had planned to open the box the following day, but inquisitive chat members asked me to do a box opening and I complied.)

This is one of my first photos of Ruby Bridges, a 10-inch polymer clay and painted cloth doll tribute to the real Ruby Bridges. (Use the link at the end of this post to learn about this remarkable trailblazer.)

Impressive as the doll is, the "little something special" was just as impressive. The box opening was not recorded, but I took several photos of the doll and, of course, I recorded Ruby's addition to my collection in the Description column of my Excel 2023 Doll Inventory spreadsheet as follows:

10-inch doll inspired by 6-year-old Ruby Bridges, one of the first children to integrate the William Frantz School in New Orleans, LA on November 1, 1960. The doll has a hand-sculpted polymer clay face with side-glancing painted eyes, parted lips with painted teeth, and a cleft chin. The polymer-clay-sculpted black hair is styled in two braids. A large white bow accents the top right of the doll's hair. The handmade white dress has a large collar, short sleeves, and is trimmed at the hemline with white cotton lace. White cotton pantalettes, white painted-on socks, and black painted-on Mary-Jane-style shoes complete the costume. A Ruby Bridges mock book has a handmade pencil and ruler attached to the front. Inside the book is a photograph of 6-year-old Ruby Bridges. The hangtag bears the same picture of the 6-year-old child. A different picture of young Ruby is on the back of the hangtag which attaches to the doll's wrist with jute twine. Made especially for me, is a hand-painted, decorative storage box, the top of which bears Ruby Bridges' name, a photograph of Ruby at play with two white children, and another photograph of 6-year-old Ruby. The bottom inside of the box contains a brief printed bio of Bridges and the role she played in desegregating the William Frantz School.

Ruby's spreadsheet entry also documents the month received, the artist's name and year made, the doll's name, the cost, an "other" column for additional information, and a photo of the doll and the decorative box.

My Additional Photos

Ruby's hangtag is tied to her wrist with jute twine.

The handmade book has a handmade pencil and ruler attached.

Ruby is proud of her oversized white hair bow and her sculpted polymer clay braids.

Before the next photos were taken, Ruby posed for a profile photo.

Ruby sits in front of the decorative storage box, which is the "little something special" that Gloria created for the doll (and me).

(Gloria included a handwritten note to thank me for my support of her doll art throughout the years, which has been my pleasure to do.)

This is an extra-large view of the top of the box which bears a photo of young Ruby at play with two other children, a headshot photo of Ruby, and Ruby's name.

A photo of Ruby and a U. S. Marshal escort and a written bio of Ruby are on the bottom inside of the box that Gloria created.

This is another view of the inside of the doll's storage box.

Everything is impeccable and beautifully crafted as are all of Gloria's creations. I am thoroughly pleased. Fashioned after Gloria's #1 Ruby Bridges doll, my doll is a welcome addition to my collection.

Gloria's Ruby Bridges #1 and a Series of Others

More Ruby Bridges posts on this blog

Learn More About Ruby Bridges

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There are countless items to collect and write about. Black dolls chose me.

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