The Margaret Bright Gallery of Class Dolls

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

This doll also wears a "lingerie" dress. Annie Jones of Raleigh was class agent.

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.