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Year~By~Year Doll Listing

A complete listing of all dolls in The Margaret Bright Gallery of Class Dolls.

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Acknowledgements

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Case 1
1891
In 1991, to commemorate the centennial of the College’s charter, a doll in the style of 1891 was prepared to stand beside the 1991 class doll. It was presented on February 27, 1991 by Christy Sizemore, senior class president, and Margie Hardison, senior class doll chairperson, from the centennial class. The dress was designed by Diane Hicks, human environmental sciences professor, and Margie Hardison; it was sewn by Margie Hardison and Kelli Johnson. The dress is in the "s" silhouette, and has a padded chest and rear, with leg-'o-mutton sleeves and a train. It is made of 100% cotton with satin ribbon at the waist and lace around the neck. Raven Joyner made the lace parasol. The doll committee members were Kelli Johnson, Susanne Jarvis, Raven Joyner, Molly Howell, Mary Anne Loftis, Rebecca Ward, Lisa White, Susan Liles, Melissa McNeill, Hope Howell, Gwen Newkirk, Susanne Carver, and Margie Hardison.
Case 1
1902
Dr. Mary Lynch Johnson said that the class members all wore white for Class Day, but the dresses were not all alike. This dress, with long skirt, long sleeves, and high collar, is typical of the style in 1902. The College was chartered in 1891 as Baptist Female University and graduated the first two classes, 1902 and 1903, under that name.
Case 1
1903
Willie Lambertson Bolton, class agent, was responsible for having this doll dressed in a long white skirt and a top with short sleeves. There are ruffles at her neck, waist, and hem.
Case 1
1904
Miss 1904 wears a long white dress with a pleated skirt. Her blouse has long sleeves, buttons down the front, and a black bow at the neck.
Case 1
1905
According to Ruby Barrett Graham, '37, her mother, Ruby McKay Barrett, was permanent class president for the 1905 class. She was asked to dress a doll for her class when the collection was started in 1936. Ruby wrote, “My mother didn’t sew, but her sister did beautiful handwork and sewing. So, since there were no "uniform-style" dresses in those days, the 1905 doll is dressed like my mother's own Class Day dress.”
Case 1
1906
This dress is of the style called "lingerie" dress. (Source: Betty Tyson, N.C. Museum of History) Essie Morgan Poteat of Wake Forest was class agent. The tradition of the hiding of the Crook begins.
Case 1
1907
The College was named Baptist University for Women from 1904 until 1909. The BUW pin on this doll belonged to Margaret Bright, '07. This dress is also the "lingerie style." Lela Simon, a friend of Miss Bright's, helped dress some of the dolls, according to her daughter, Ileane Seagroves.
Case 1
1908
This doll also wears a "lingerie" dress. Annie Jones of Raleigh was class agent.
Case 1
1909
Lulie Marshall Wyatt dressed this doll in 1936 or 1937 in a white dress with a long skirt and a long-sleeve, high-neck top. To honor Thomas Meredith, trustees change the name to Meredith College.
Case 2

1910

In 1980, Katherine Parker Freeman (Mrs. L.E.M. Freeman) wrote: "There were 28 graduates that year [1910], I think the largest up to that time. We departed from tradition, and instead of a daisy chain, made our chain out of red rambler roses! This was at old Meredith, of course, on Blount Street. Our doll was possibly the simplest dressed doll, but it was typical of that time. She wears an "empire" unbleached muslin dress. The school was small, struggling financially, but we had great teachers whose greatest contribution was lifting our horizons—mentally and spiritually." Ella Thompson was class agent.
Case 2
1911
Lila Stone Seymour, class agent, asked her neighbor, Dora Beavers Maynard, to make the dress for the 1911 doll. Mrs. Maynard’s three daughters Lillian, Louise, and Edith attended Meredith, so she had a special interest in the project. The dress is white with a square neck and blue ribbons. Emma Byrum Hobbs wrote that Margaret Bright was "excellent with the needle" and we wonder if Miss Bright made any of the doll dresses for the early classes. Emma remembered that the father of Dr. Bessie Lane, college physician and professor of physiology 1934-1950, planted an acre of sweet peas for the class daisy chain.
Case 2
1912
Mrs. John S. McDonald of Raleigh was class agent. Miss 1912 wears a white long skirt and blouse with a collar. There is a green tie around her neck and a green belt at the waist.
Case 2
1913
Mrs. J. Ray Burton was class agent. Dr. Mary Lynch Johnson remembered that the fringe-balls on this dress were like the original.
Case 2
1914
Kate Johnson Parham wrote that she had no idea who dressed their doll, but "she wore white—we always did on Class Days—and the skirt was in three tiers. We wore straw hats trimmed with black-eyed susans." The style was called “hobble skirt.” Dr. Mary Lynch Johnson said that a dressmaker on Person Street made the Class Day dresses.
Case 2
1915
Mrs. William A. Moore of Kinston was class agent. This doll’s white dress has a long skirt made in panels.
Case 2
1916
The bluebirds on the hem and collar of this dress reflect the class emblem, the bluebird of happiness, according to Dr. Mary Lynch Johnson.
Case 2
1917
Dr. Mary Lynch Johnson's class had 38 graduates—the largest to date. This is her recollection: The doll was redressed one time since 1936 by Elizabeth Henley. The green bow is organdy. The class emblem was the butterfly and the bow was spread out in bow-like wings. Dr. Johnson said that she and classmate Annie Holt felt more like fat, grubby caterpillars because they were the "fat" ones in the class! "The Last Revel of the Butterflies" was their Class Day program. She mentioned that earlier classes had mascots, but they changed to emblems in 1916.
Case 3
1918
The doll is in a Red Cross uniform, reflecting World War I and the work of Meredith students, such as rolling bandages and other duties when the nation was involved in the war effort. Patriotism was very strong on the Meredith campus; it was located in downtown Raleigh and the students cheered the soldiers on as they marched down Fayetteville Street. Mary Law Norwood Vann was class agent.
Case 3
1919
Ella Johnson Webb started the "Des Bones" skit/song used at Class Day. Anne Poteat started the "even year" answer, according to Dr. Mary Lynch Johnson. This doll has a white dress with a long skirt and wears pearls at her neck.
Case 3
1920
Mary Ida Butler Bridger was class agent. Miss 1920 wears a white dress with a long skirt made of ruffles.
Case 3
1921
This dress of organdy with ruffles up and down the skirt is a replica of the 1921 Class Day dress. Dorothy Loftin Goodwin, ’47, has her mother's dress and a picture of her (Sallie Beal Loftin) in that dress. Moultrie Drake Betts and Nellie Olive Goodwin agree that a local seamstress made the dresses. Elizabeth Cullom Kelly was class agent.
Case 3
1922
Carolyn Mercer thinks that Ruth Couch Allen, a home economics major, outfitted this doll in a light green dress with flowers at the waist. Ruth also made Carolyn's wedding dress for her wedding the afternoon following graduation. Sarah Nooe was class agent.
Case 3
1923
Ruth Liverman Kilgore, senior class president, was positive that the Class Day dress was white, even though the doll now has a light pink dress. She recalls that a representative from a leading department store came to the class committee with several dresses from which to choose. Ruth thinks that Lillian Horton Ammons arranged for the doll to be dressed in 1936 and thinks that the dress is like the Class Day dress, except in color.
Case 3
1924
Gladys Strickland Satterwhite asked her friend Ada Overby to make their doll's dress. Miss Overby was a staff member at Campbell College and served as secretary to President J. A. Campbell. She made the dress using Gladys' dress as a pattern and lace with the same design as the original Class Day dress. First faculty performance of Alice in Wonderland.
Case 3
1925
Ruby Harville Boyles wrote, “I dressed the doll in the exact style of our Class Day dresses. We all wore dresses alike. Our class colors were orange and yellow; our flower was the California poppy, which was carried out in our dresses. The only thing that is not authentic is that the doll's dress is long, and ours were mid-calf. I made the dress long to cover up the doll's awful legs.”
Case 3
1926
From Crystal Davis Potter in 1983: "Miss 1926 wears a green and white dress that I made from the dress worn and donated by Elinor Lane Petty. Green and white were the class colors, and the lace in the panels and on the scarf was supposed to be a white rose (class flower) pattern. The dresses arrived at Taylor's only a day before Class Day. To the dismay of the more conservative members of the class, the dresses were "disgracefully" short, barely covering the kneecaps, and there was no hem that could be let down. Many girls used the scarf to add a false hem. Just as the exercises were ending, a sudden storm blew up in the cleared area that is now the amphitheater. We dashed wildly up the incline, stopping only to detach our deliriously drifting draperies from dangling branches, to arrive under shelter just in time to avoid a deluge. The next night, on graduation day, about twenty of us stayed over and wore the dresses again as bridesmaids in the wedding of class president Margaret Wheeler to Harvey Kelly. We formed a semi-circle on the second floor of the rotunda in what was then called the Administration Building. Our flowers consisted of the daisy chain from Class Day, draped around our shoulders. The daisy chain had spent the night on the grass under the trees and had collected quite a variety of ants and other insects. As they began exploring their environment, the bridesmaids began to wiggle. Jim, whom I married a few months later, insisted we resembled a hula line! Afterwards, I brushed off the bugs, and Jim and I, UNCHAPERONED, went to the Yarbrough for dinner, the first and only such time since we were introduced in November 1925."
Case 3
1927
Clarissa Poteat was class agent. Miss 1927 wears a below-the-knee beige dress with fringe on her skirt and shawl.
Case 3
1928
Mary Rodwell Hunter Smith was unable to determine who dressed their doll, even after a letter to classmates in 1984. The doll wears a formal yellow gown and cape.
Case 3
1929

Pauline Goodwin Jobe was class president and made the doll dress similar to their Class Day dresses, which were in rainbow colors. Theirs was a “daring dress” with flowing cape sleeves, uneven hemline, and short!

Case 4
1930
This dress of light green chiffon is called a “handkerchief” dress with overlapping pointed sections for the skirt. Margaret Craig Martin remembers that Alumnae Director Mae Grimmer, '14, gave the doll to her to be dressed, and she got a Mrs. Beck to make the dress. She wrote that their Class Day dress had a short shoulder cape that they tied at the side. The pointed flounces were knee-length.
Case 4
1931
The dress is in the Godet style. The Class Day dresses were rainbow colors with a darker shade for the jacket. Madeline May Allen said that her dress was peachy apricot with an orangey jacket—all the brunettes chose that color! Others were blue, lavender, green, and even one white, which was used later for a wedding dress. Madeline found a photo that showed her in the Class Day dress, and this was most helpful as the dress was being copied for a replacement. The new dress was made of similar material and color as the original doll’s dress. The same belt buckle was used. The first doll dress was made from Anne Simms Haskins' Class Day dress.
Case 4
1932
Elizabeth Thornton Britton suggested that Edwina Martin Crowther dressed this doll and that it was like their Class Day dress.
Case 4
1933
Mildred Taylor Carraway dressed the 1933 doll. She wrote: "I don't remember that I had anyone helping me—but it has been a long time. I remember the class dresses as described by Hazel [Martin Lassiter]—rainbow colors, long, and ready made—and I might add, quite pretty."
Case 4
1934
Vara Lee Thornton remembered that Katharine David Ogburn dressed their doll. Katharine wrote: "I did dress our doll originally in 1935, using my own dress. I believe, though, that someone redressed her later. (I was not an expert seamstress.) The dress was pale green, long, self-color embroidery on dress—of silk voile—wide ruffles over shoulder of plain, same fabric. The dress was chosen by classmates from dresses worn by models (classmates). The entries were from different stores and the one selected was from an exclusive dress shop in Raleigh, Jean’s. It was quite a fashion show—music, etc.” We do not know who redressed the doll, but Mary Decie Luther Cuthrell said that her Class Day dress was used for the material.
Case 4
1935
This doll's outfit, bright yellow taffeta and net with self-covered buttons and hat, is like that of Class Day. At their 50th reunion in 1985, no one could recall who dressed the doll. Catherine Mosely Love was class agent.
Case 4
1936
Despite help from Martha Ann Riley Fisk and Dr. Norma Rose, we have been unable to discover who dressed this doll. Sonora Bland Benthall was class agent.
Case 4
1937
Mary Florence Sawyer Daniel reported that she helped dress the 1937 doll with help from Ruth Smith, Lucille Shearin, and Jennie Hanyen, Associate Professor of Home Economics, 1931-1965. Ruby Barrett Graham, Frances Woodard, and Lib Johnson Lassiter agreed that “the Class Day dresses were in pastel colors. Green, blue, and lavender we feel certain were used and probably pink (though it might have been yellow). The dresses came from either Ellisberg's or Jean's."
Case 4
1938
Jean Lightfoot Newton said that their Class Day dresses came from Ellisberg's.
Case 4
1939

Nellie Ball Roberts wrote that she dressed the 1939 doll: "The dress was a replica of the Class Day dresses of that year, which were all alike. The material and style were the same as the dresses. I remember how afraid I was that our doll wouldn't measure up!" Wearing a pink dress with long skirt and jacket, it did measure up, beautifully. Mary Kate Collier Williamson added that several pastel colors were used for Class Day dresses.

Case 4
1940
This doll’s dress is lavender net over a long skirt, with flowers at the waist.
Case 4
1941
Annie Laurie Overton Pomeranz said their dresses came from Jean's and were pink, blue, yellow or lavender.
Case 5
1942
Amelia Pruitt Nichols dressed this doll in a white knee-length dress with elbow-length sleeves.
Case 5
1943
Virginia Bailey Harris dressed this doll. She was a home economics major and lab assistant to Jennie Hanyen. Virginia asked the home economics seniors to put some stitches in the dress so they would all have a part. She remembers sitting on her bed and making the dress. Others may have helped, but no one at their 40th reunion could remember.
Case 5
1944
Mollie Melvin Ward made this doll’s dress with scraps of her own dress. She wrote that all Class Day dresses were not alike, due to World War II. She made a "one-piece dress with eyelet trim on either side of the waist."
Case 5
1945
The supply of the French Boudoir dolls had been depleted and could not be replenished, due to World War II and its aftermath. The class dolls for three years were “pattern dolls” used by department stores to display dresses. Cornhuskin' begins.
Case 5
1946
Gwen Krahnke Farrier, a home economics major, dressed the 1946 doll.
Case 5
1947
Jetta Funderburk Spencer got the doll at the Anchor store in Winston-Salem. Zelma Murray Thomasson was in charge. Joyce Thomas Porter made the dress and Edith Timberlake Knott helped, all this in June Patterson Stallings’ suite. This doll was an advertising doll and wears a girdle and bra, the only doll in the Gallery thus attired! The doll is dressed in a typical style with peplum jacket, but again, the Class Day dresses were not all alike.
Case 5
1948
1948 marks the return of French Boudoir dolls in the collection. Gayle Wells Powell and Jolene Weathers Edwards dressed this doll.
Case 5
1949
Maxine Bissette Warren writes: “When we graduated, it was the responsibility of the senior class president to dress the Class Doll. I was class president, and, unfortunately, a very poor seamstress. My mother, Mrs. F.D. Bissette, offered to make the dress. She went with me to buy my white dress for Class Day and then, for the sake of authenticity, she made a dress for the class doll, an exact copy of mine. She dressed the doll and brought it to us at Meredith before Class Day.” Maxine’s mother died in 1983, and Maxine wrote, “She would have enjoyed knowing that the doll collection is still a part of Meredith history.”
Case 5
1950

"All the dolls of the 1950s are dressed in the white gowns of the Class Day celebration, so there are no saddle oxfords or pony tails." (Ramona Jones, Raleigh Times, 1981) This doll wears a white dress with a long skirt.

Case 5
1951
Jamie Perry Cox and Betsy Jordan Goldston dressed Miss 1951, copying an outfit that Betsy had made for herself. Betsy wrote, "When the choice had to be made whether to let the stuffed portion of the legs show or to have the correct '51 hem length, the correct hem length won, as the outfit testifies."
Case 5
1952
Jane Slate Brooks and Louise Stewart Lominac dressed this doll.
Case 5
1953
Jeanette Leonard Overby prepared this doll.
Case 6
1954
Mary Jo Griffin Hooks dressed Miss 1954 in a white dotted Swiss dress.
Case 6
1955
This doll wears a long white dress. Miss 1955 was dressed by Larue Taylor Pollard, nee Taylor, a home economics major.
Case 6
1956
Miss 1956 is costumed in a long white dress with ruffles on the sleeves and neck. She has flowers at the waist.
Case 6
1957
This doll has a long white dress with a billowing skirt and wears a necklace.
Case 6
1958

Fay Chandler Honeycutt and Marcia Allen Bryce dressed this doll. By this time, it was the tradition for home economics majors to dress the doll. Fay reported that Ellen Brewer, professor of home economics from 1922-1966, was a little upset because the doll’s dress was short, and this was somewhat a break with tradition. The dress was white in a chemise style with loose straight lines, unfitted waistline, and a belt at the hip line. (The belt is now at the waist.)
Case 6
1959
Miss 1959 wears a mid-calf length white dress with a big collar. There are red flowers at the waist.
Case 6
1960

This is the only Madame Alexander doll in the collection. She sports a white skirt, a blazer, and a straw hat. Very stylish.

Case 6
1961
The doll has a white dress with a skirt that falls just below the knees. She wears white shoes with straps around the ankles and her fingernails and toenails are painted red.
Case 6
1962
Home economics majors Sybil Williams Gore and Sue Worthington Miller, along with Barbara Worthington Walker, are believed to have been the doll committee for this class. The outfit is a simple sundress.
Case 6
1963
Miss 1963 wears a short white dress with a jacket.
Case 6
1964
Mary McManus Chapman dressed this doll. Her halo is related to their stunt "Perfect Seniors in 'AIPOTU"' (Utopia spelled backwards). They called themselves the perfect class because they won all the Stunts and Cornhuskin's for four years!
Case 6
1965
Class members at their 20th reunion think that Nancy Lou Jones Kennon dressed their doll. The banner, "Never Say Die," was not because they were in the radical '60s, but because even though they never won anything, such as Stunt or Cornhuskin', they never gave up. (Information from Betsy Denson Deal, February 1987)
Case 7
1966
Paula Lowry Herren dressed this doll and tells us that the suit was a copy of a John Meyers paisley suit that almost everyone on campus had for spring '66. Long hair was popular and often worn up.
Case 7
1967
Patsy Howell Cuthrell dressed the 1967 doll in a full-length dress. She carries a basket filled with flowers.
Case 7
1968
1968 Doll
In the spring of 1968, class members selected Suzanne Williams (Griffin) and Gay Felton (Smith) to dress the class doll. Since the doll was to represent the fashion of the times, it was decided that our doll would be dressed in the short, striped dress with shoes that matched one of the colors in the dress. Additionally, she would have a bobbed haircut with bangs and a bow in her hair. If visiting Meredith’s campus at this time, you would definitely see many of the class of ’68 dressed in similar outfits!
Case 7
1969
1969 Doll
The doll for 1969 is outfitted in a miniskirt, print blouse, and knitted sweater worn casually over her shoulders. Carlyle Campbell Library opens for business.
Case 7
1970
1970 Doll
This doll was nicknamed Petunia by her dressmakers, Gary Clarke, Jean Wolf, and Suzanne George. She is the first doll to wear a pants suit.
Case 7
1971
1971 Doll
Jane Holloway Woodard dressed this doll. The class voted to have her dressed like their May Day court outfits, lavender “peasant dresses” with matching hats.
Case 7
1972
1972 Doll
Ruth Edwards Nicholson, Rosemary Moore Steffens, and Marcia Miller Schmid dressed Miss '72 to reflect the "in" apparel of the time: long pants, knitted vest, and clogs. They tried wire-rim glasses, but the fitting was a failure.
Case 7
1973
1973 Doll
Marywalker Havnaer Romanus outfitted her class doll in lime green pants, blue turtleneck, knitted vest, blue and green seersucker blazer, clogs, and shag hairstyle.
Case 7
1974
1974 Doll
Wyn Turlington Page sent us this story about the 1974 doll. She and Mary Warren Ayers Rose designed the clothes using styles and ideas relative to that time to make a statement about themselves as women. Admittedly, they "borrowed" the top design from a black jersey shirt Wyn had in her closet. It was appliquéd on the front with a sequined antique car. Wyn purchased that top when she traveled with a Meredith tour group to England in December 1973. Since she and Mary Warren liked the funky look, they kept the idea, but modified it to “Ms,” indicating the importance of the women's movement at that time. The “Ms" term served practical as well as symbolic purposes. It eliminated the confusion of marital status in addressing another person. It was also a significant expression of women's individuality, independence, and equality. The slacks were styled in the 1974 look—high waisted and cuffed. The cork wedgies were also a popular look of the day. Larry Page, who is now Wyn's husband, made the doll's shoes. Mary Warren and Wyn chose the cloth for the top and the slacks. However, since neither of them could sew, they enlisted Karen McLean to stitch up the outfit. Meredith Abroad program for foreigh study is initiated.
Case 7
1975
1975 Doll
This doll wears the pin of the International Women's Year and was dressed by Anna Tarry Hewlitt and Gail Davis Batts. Thesia Garner made the shoes.
Case 7
1976
1976 Doll
Miss 1976 is dressed in a denim skirt, tee shirt, tie scarf, and rope-sole sandals, with earrings.
Case 7
1977
1977 Doll
She has a Dorothy Hamill haircut (remember the famous Olympic ice skater?) and was dressed by Jeanne Bray in gray gauchos and vest with white cowl-necked sweater and add-a-bead necklace. Suzanne Styron made the sweater and necklace and Mark C. Garrett made the boots.
Case 8
1978
1978 Doll
This doll wears a sleeveless sundress of printed flower fabric.
Case 8
1979
1979 Doll

Najla Nave dressed the class doll. She reports, "The shirtdress style was chosen because it was popular while we were students.” She added a ribbon belt and headband. Najla said that because espadrilles were popular, they were used. She made them of canvas and glued twine around the bottom as roping.

Case 8
1980
1980 Doll
Vicki Miguel Davis and Leslie Landis Hayes dressed this doll. The doll, in her tie, blouse, madras plaid skirt with side slits, and navy blazer, looks the part of a young alumna headed for a job interview. She wears matching pumps.
Case 8
1981
1981 Doll
Alice Keith Massenburg fixed the French-braided hair for Miss 1981. She is the only doll to date wearing Calvin Klein jeans—“authentic," declared Jackie Revels, president of the class.
Case 8
1982
1982 Doll
As I watched the television coverage about the death of Nancy Reagan this morning, I was reminded of my days at Meredith College. It was my honor to dress the class doll for 1982 and we had a discussion during a class meeting about what style we wanted to have represent us. We talked about returning to the tradition of the earliest dolls and attiring Miss 1982 in a formal gown. We eventually decided, however, to look to two of the most recognizable and influential women in the world at that time - Lady Diana Spencer and First Lady Nancy Reagan - for our inspiration. Our doll "Nancy Diana" is dressed in a sapphire blue linen suit much like the one Diana wore in her engagement photographs and features a ruffle neck blouse similar to those Nancy was often seen wearing. Nancy Diana is proudly wearing her onyx class ring fashioned from a black bead and gold wire. The style of our doll wasn't based on politics or position but on two women whose strength we had not even begun to realize. Rest in peace, Nancy. And Diana. We were right about you both.
Case 8
1983
1983 Doll
The class voted for the "Lady Di" style (Lady Diane married Prince Charles in 1981). Beth Lewis, Christie Gresham, and Karen McAden dressed the doll.
Case 8
1984
1984 Doll
Kim Causey, senior class president, made this presentation of their class doll at the Alumnae Day luncheon: "Dances have always been, and will continue to be, a special event on Meredith's campus. And one of the most exciting parts is probably just seeing everybody in their festive attire. In the last year particularly, however, the question hasn't been 'What kind of dress shall I wear to the dance?' but 'What color taffeta dress shall I wear?' And so, it is only appropriate that the Class of 1984 should present to the Alumnae Association our class doll, which is wearing a formal dress of periwinkle taffeta. The dress has a fitted bodice, ruffled neckline, and at the waist a cummerbund that ties in the back. The long full skirt hides a beautiful crinoline slip underneath. Finally, to top things off, are a pearl necklace, bracelet, earrings, and pretty flowers in a wrist corsage and headband. Nita Rogister has been working hard on the doll, and I'm sure she would join me in inviting you to admire the doll whenever you can as she takes her place in Johnson Hall." The Meredith Honors Program is initiated.
Case 8
1985
1985 Doll
This doll is wearing a Forenza-style sweater with a tee shirt underneath. Her linen pants are cropped. Her flats match her sweater and she has a blunt haircut with a rose colored bow. She is wearing blue earrings and a class ring. Kelli Falk dressed Miss 1985, assisted by Lynn Berle.
Case 8
1986
1986 Doll
Ten members of the senior class served on the doll committee and presented three designs for the class to vote on. The design chosen was made by Betty Matthews, mother of Margaret Matthews, '86. Mrs. Matthews designed the patterns for the undergarments and the outer clothing. The undergarments consist of a fitted camisole, tap panties, and slip made of a polyester-silk blend, trimmed with lace and satin bows. The outer garments are a white batiste blouse with puff sleeves and concealed buttons with hand-made buttonholes, a hand-knit teal cardigan sweater, and matching skirt trimmed with white pearl-cotton. The two-piece knit suit with raglan sleeves was made of Reynolds acrylic yarn and complemented with pearl buttons. The accessories consist of pearl earrings, a pearl collar pin, white hose and teal pumps. Betty Garrison, aunt of Teresa Ward, '86, cut the doll’s hair in a bob-style.
Case 8
1987
1987 Doll
From Kelli L. Barefoot, class doll chairperson: “The doll wears a red, slightly oversized cotton turtleneck sweater. Her skirt is denim with a long hemline. A silk scarf cinches her waist and ties at the side. She wears lacy hose and black leather riding boots. Her hair is pulled back in a matching bow. Tiny gold bow earrings accent the outfit. Leigh Eury, '87, knit the sweater and Peggy Carter made the skirt.”
Case 8
1988
1988 Doll
Miss 1988 wears a turquoise blouse, mid-calf length tan skirt, a multi-color scarf, and gold necklace.Teching Fellows program is initiated.
Case 8
1989
1989 Doll
The doll is named Jennifer, the most popular name in the class. Shandra Lanier Stocks and Lori Harris dressed their doll in a knee-length drop-waist denim jumper, white mock turtleneck sweater, white roll-down ankle socks, and buck shoes. The doll's shoulder-length hair is pulled back with a cloth headband. She wears a Meredith class ring and 14K gold necklace.
Case 8
1990
1990 Doll
The doll is dressed in blue jean shorts, Guatemalan belt, white tee shirt, and Tretorn brand tennis shoes. She resembles the typical daily attire of a Meredith student in 1990. The doll committee chairperson was Cheryl Alderman.
Case 9
1991
1991 Doll
Presented by Margie Hardison, senior class doll chairperson, this doll’s name is Beverly Clark, after the first American female killed in action during Operation Desert Storm. She is wearing a yellow ribbon to recognize those overseas. Her romper was designed by Margie Hardison and sewn by Margie Hardison and Susanne Carver. The romper has a bib collar, ¾ length sleeves, and a dropped waist. It is navy with a pink and white floral print. Her shoes are navy Sam and Libby brand ballerina flats. She is wearing pink ribbon headband, gold hoop earrings, and her Meredith ring. The shoes were designed by Mary Anne Loftis and Melissa McNeill, hair by Gwen Newkirk, and headband by Susan Liles. The doll committee members were Hope Howell, Gwen Newkirk, Susanne Carver, Lisa White, Susan Liles, Melissa McNeill, Rebecca Ward, Mary Anne Loftis, Molly Howell, Raven Joyner, Susanna Jarvis, Kelli Johnson, and Margie Hardison.
Case 9
1992
1992 Doll
The class chose an outfit of black stirrup pants, black and white checked blazer, gold jewelry, and black accessories. The doll wears a graduation cap and is named Meredith Taylor in honor of our school and our beloved advisor, Olive Taylor. The doll committee members were Melanie Overby and Christy Thomas, Chairs; Liz Atkins, Seamstress; Mary Anderson, and Jane Braxton.
Case 9
1993
1993 Doll
Cindy Rebecca is named after two very influential women, our class advisor Dr. Cindy Bross and the late Dr. Rebecca Murray, professor of education. The doll is dressed in a red turtleneck and houndstooth check walking shorts, both representative of our four years at Meredith. Cindy is also wearing opaque black tights and black flats with a red rhinestone design. Her accessories include pearl earrings, a pearl necklace, and the traditional Meredith class ring. The design is by the doll committee members; co-chairs were Shawna Hastings and Anne Lehman; Mandy Dill and Alissa Hoober did the sewing.
Case 9
1994
1994 Doll
The doll for the class of 1994 is named Bobby Jo (B. J.) in memory of our classmate and friend, Bobby Jo Strickland. B. J. is wearing a long, denim sarong skirt, a white turtleneck, and a hand knit, multicolored sweater vest. Her hair is shoulder length and tapered around her face. The Class of 1994 doll committee decided to accessorize B. J. with a popular recurring style of shoe, clogs. She is wearing the traditional Meredith College class ring, a charm bracelet, and gold hoop earrings. The Class of 1994 decided to represent Meredith women as unique individuals with one common bond—Meredith College—by having the doll hold paper dolls. Doll committee members were Emily Boyce, Chair; Cindy Byrd; Sheri Cannon; Dawn Fleming; Lori Watson; and Marlee Wilson. Special thanks to Mary Cannon, Hettie Mae Ennis, Janice Fowler, Sarah Smith Watson, '53
Case 9
1995
1995 Doll
This class acknowledged Professor of Mathematics Dr. Charles Davis, who was their class advisor, by naming their doll Charlie. They felt that “Dr. Davis has definitely gone far and beyond his call of duty to the Class of 1995, and for his dedication, the class doll was named in his honor.” Charlie is dressed in a black ribbed turtleneck with a denim A-line jumpsuit. The short dress, black tights, and mules are all types of clothing the 1995 class wore throughout their college years. Charlie's jewelry includes the Meredith class ring, silver earrings, bracelet, and necklace, and a wallet over-the-shoulder purse. The committee members were Shannon Baynor, Chair; Hasty Barron, designed and created turtleneck and jumpsuit; April Jones, nails and lips; Leigh Butler; Cindy Decker; Lea Dunn; Thomissa Taily; Ronda Johnson; and Nicole Taylor. The committee would like to extend a special thank you to Aubree Atkinson who cut and styled Charlie's hair.
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1996
1996 Doll
The doll is named Angelica Thomas after our mascot (the angel) and Thomas Meredith (one of the founders of Meredith College). She has long, dark brown hair, with a trendy flip and layered bangs. The accessories include the popular Melrose black bead and silver daisy necklace with tiny silver cubed earrings with a daisy etched on them. She has a Meredith ring on her right hand; in her left hand she is holding a pearl and diamond tiara, representing our classmates: Miss North Carolina 1994 Dana Ann Stephenson, and Miss North Carolina 1995 Lisa Anne Bamford. Our class was the only class this century to have two Miss North Carolinas as members. In her right hand Angelica Thomas holds a perfectly shaped white crook with our class colors, purple and gold in a bow. The class of 1996 was the first class in 13 years to find the crook from the seniors. Angelica Thomas is positioned in a stride, with her left foot in front of the right as if she were walking forward. This symbolizes our versatility to have any career and to be successful. This is the first doll in 96 years positioned differently: she is looking over her shoulder. She is wearing a cream, ribbed turtleneck, tucked into an army-green colored wool skirt that buttons up the front. She is also wearing black ribbed tights, black high-heeled penny loafers, and has a black backpack on her shoulders. In this backpack there is one 1996 penny that she will always carry to remind her of the seniors' $2000 victory at Cornhuskin' in penny barrels. Committee members were Ruth Anne Bowles, Co-Chairman; Christian Hunt, Co-Chairman; Shani Siedel; Allison Carroll; Beth Haneman; Kristie Hutchinson. Special thanks to Betty and Norman Bowles; Linda Church; Wendy Brock from The Cutting Edge for cutting Angelica Thomas' hair; Kristie Hutchinson. '96, for styling Angelica Thomas' hair; Elizabeth King for making the tights; Pat Watts for creating her clothing; Dana Stephenson; Lisa Bamford.
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1997
1997 Doll
The 1997 Meredith College Class Doll is named Frances Jo Burris. Fran is to remind us of the hurricane that struck Raleigh in September 1996. The doll's middle name is Jo, in honor of Dr. Jo Guglielmi, our class advisor. “Dr. G" has supported our class for four wonderful years, and we appreciate all of her hard work and dedication. The doll's last name, Burris, is in honor of Dr. Allen Burris, dean and vice president of the College. Dean Burris has been with Meredith College since 1969, and is retiring this year. Fran is wearing black velvet overalls. This ties together the popularity of overalls and the stylish black velvet fabric. Fran is also wearing a white satin shirt and an animal print scarf around her neck. Her hair is red and curly, which represents the number of red-heads in our class. The doll's accessories include silver ball earrings, and a traditional Meredith College ring on her right ring finger. On her shoulder, Fran carries a bag made of black velvet. In the bag is a wishbone from our Big Sister class of 1995, symbolizing good luck. A daisy represents our Class Day of 1997 when we celebrated our graduation with our Little Sisters. The piece of chalk represents the "incident" from our sophomore year when we lost Cornhuskin'. However, losing brought us together as a class in 1995 to beat the senior class with our theme, Three Ring Circus. This Cornhuskin' victory is commemorated by three rings on Fran's left wrist. Finally, in her left hand she holds the small replica of an airplane. This is to remember our senior Cornhuskin' theme, It's Time for Us to Fly! And now we, the class of 1997, will fly on. Thank you, Meredith College, for wonderful memories and an incredible education! Co-Chairs were Kristi Balzer and Claire Evans. Special thanks to Rebekah Abrams, Jonna Anderson, Donna Gaurganus, Tamara McHenry, Jennifer Johnson, and Ginny Scholz.
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1998
1998 Doll
The class doll of the Class of 1998 is named Erika, in memory of our classmate and friend, Erika Woodlief. Erika is a porcelain doll, created for us by Margaret Debnam of Bunn, NC. Erika is wearing a black pique pantsuit and a cobalt blue tank top. Her shoes are chunky-heeled loafers, which were painted on. Erika's brown hair is in a bob, and she has bright blue eyes. The class doll committee decided to accessorize Erika with silver bead earrings, the Meredith class ring, and a silver slide necklace. The pendant on the necklace is engraved with a '98. As a further reminder of our friend Erika, the doll is wearing maroon and white ribbons on her jacket. Erika holds a bag of sticks and stones in the colors of the Class of 1996 to represent that we are an even class and to “protect us from the Odd Spirit's bone." Attached to the purple bag is a Dalmatian dog, symbolizing the Heilman fire and an ear of corn symbolizing our Cornhuskin' victory. The class doll committee was Hettie Nelms, Co-chair; Beth Sumrell, Co-chair; Catherine Fronabarger; Stephanie Harris. Special Thanks to Margaret Debnam for making the doll and for all of her help.
Case 9
1999
1999 Doll
The 1999 Meredith College class doll is named Milli Taylor Smith. Milli is in reference to our being the last class of the millennium and Taylor is in honor of our “virtual president,” Charles Taylor. We are thankful to have had President Taylor as a visual supporter and strong influence in all of our lives. The doll’s last name, Smith, is in memory of Dr. Deborah Smith, an influential and caring professor of biology. Milli is holding our class mascot, Peaches, the dog belonging to our class advisor, Dr. Charles Davis. Peaches and Dr. Davis attended numerous class functions in support of our class. Milli is wearing fashionable undergarments, including a black lace trimmed brassiere and a half-slip. She is wearing a gray skirt with a side slit, complemented with black suede, silver-buckled belt. Milli has on a fitted black knit turtle neck with coordinating black opaque tights, and her foot attire consists of handmade black leather, chunky-heeled pumps. Peaches is wearing a burgundy suede collar with a gold buckle. Milli’s hair is done in a stylish shoulder length flip, with a trendy butterfly barrette. Her blue eyes represent our underclassmen class color. On her necklace, Milli has a square slide that matches her earrings. On her wrist is a silver, beaded bracelet complementing her necklace. Milli would never be seen without her Meredith class ring on her right hand. She is carrying a black suede purse containing many class memories. A tiny crook represents our class finding the crook during our junior year. The colorful wig is in memory of the original Oddballs, our spirit team. In the scrapbook, Milli is carrying many pictures of our Cornhuskin’ and stunt victories. Her ivy-stand is in commemoration of her debut at Class Day. Contributions by Bennett Bell, co-chairperson; Candice Pinocci, co-chairperson; Carrie Fields; and Margaret Debam. Special thanks to Chris Hixson for making our wishes come true.
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2000
2000 doll
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2001
2001 doll
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2002
2002 Doll
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2003
2003 Doll
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2004
2004 Doll
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2005
2005 Doll
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2006
2006 Doll
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2007
2007 Doll
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2008
2008 Doll
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2009
2009 Doll
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2010
2010 Doll
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2011
2011 Doll
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2012
2012 Doll
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2013
2013 Doll
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2014
2014 doll

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2015
2015 Doll
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2016
2016 Doll
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2017
2017 doll
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2018
2018 doll
Name: Brittlyn Fate Valley. She is sporting a trendy outfit with nods to the class’ Cornhuskin’ themes and her suitcase is filled with keepsakes from traditions and flags from the countries represented by her classmates.
Case 11
2019
2019 doll

The information accompanying early year dolls was collected in the 1980's by Dorothy Loftin Goodwin, '47, from early alumnae including Dr. Mary Lynch Johnson, '17, long-time professor of English and college historian.

Acknowledgements