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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An American Girl Story – Melody 1963: Love Has to Win (Official Trailer)...

Scene from An American Girl Story - Melody 1963:  Love Has to Win (Internet-captured photo)

Streaming on Amazon Prime Video on October 21, 2016, An American Girl Story - Melody 1963: Love Has to Win, starring Marsai Martin of ABC's black-ish fame.  Set in 1963 Detroit during the Civil Rights Movement, at the tender age of 10, Melody becomes acutely aware of the inequality American Blacks face.  After questioning the hatred which causes the disparity, Melody is reassured that love has to win.  Also starring Idara Victor and Frankie Faison.

Watch the trailer below:




Save the date and the link to Amazon Prime Video.

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Tyra's Poor Doll

I received the above and the following photos from a reader seeking identification of her doll and repair suggestions. (The doll's body is split in half at the pelvic area; see photos below.)

Lovely face, clearly a larger #1 Barbie or Bild Lilli clone

Broken lower half with exposed glue from a previous attempt at repairing the legs.

Here's what Tyra wrote initially:

Hello. I love your website and blog. I have a few questions about my doll. She is a 16 inch tall, plastic, molded hair African-american doll.  First, I am hopeful that you can identify her. I have seen a doll similar to her, but that doll has earrings and a different type of ponytail. My doll has no holes in her ears for earrings, and she has a molded swirl ponytail. Second, can you tell me someone who can repair her? She arrived broken in the mail. Then I could also tell that her legs had been glued in. I have enclosed pictures. Thank you so much for your help.  Tyra

I offered that the doll is a 16-inch Barbie clone, but beyond that, the manufacturer's name is unknown to me. My suggestions for repair were vague because I have not encountered a situation of damage like this. I offered and Tyra agreed to allow me to share her photos here in an effort to get the name of someone knowledgeable about this type repair and hopefully for someone to provide the doll's name.
After receiving my reply, Tyra wrote the following:

Hello!  Thank you so much for getting back to me.  I would deeply appreciate it if you could post the photos on your site to see if any of your followers can ID her.  If possible, could you also ask them about someone who could do the repair work?  If I cannot find anyone, I will try to do the repair myself.  How do I remove the old glue that is holding the legs in their sockets?  If I am repairing one part of the doll, I might as well try to repair the legs as well.   Thank you so much for your help.  It is much appreciated.   Best wishes, Tyra

Glued-in legs from a previous repair; Tyra wants to remove the glue and better repair the legs.

Doll's ponytail has a swirl pattern.

I have seen only two other similar dolls that vary slightly from Tyra's doll.  One can be seen in this post.

If you know the ID of Tyra's doll and/or can offer the name of someone experienced with this type repair or repair suggestions, please add a comment so Tyra can see it.

Thank you in advance.

dbg
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