December 10th 2024.
In the bustling city of Omaha, Nebraska, there is a woman who has done something truly remarkable. LaVon Stennis-Williams has taken her personal collection of over 750 historic African-American dolls and turned it into a one-of-a-kind museum, open to the public free of charge. The Doll Museum of African-American History, as it is called, is a fascinating display of Black dolls spanning three centuries. Its purpose is to shed light on America's past through the unique perspective of these dolls.
Located alongside Stennis-Williams' other African-American history museum, Mama's Attic, the Doll Museum offers a distinct and captivating way to educate visitors about the past. As Stennis-Williams herself puts it, "Dolls have been more than just playthings throughout our history. They serve as a powerful tool for telling the story of what America was like." Her love for collecting dolls began over 35 years ago when she wanted to teach her daughter about history. What started as a personal project quickly grew into a passionate hobby, resulting in a collection of over 1,000 dolls. She has a self-imposed limit of $100 for each doll she adds to her collection, but she happily spends countless hours restoring old dolls to their original beauty.
As Stennis-Williams explains, "My journey began with collecting baby dolls and, of course, African-American dolls, as a way to teach my daughter about different aspects of her race and culture." For many years, her dolls were stored away, with only a few on display in her home and office. But with the launch of this free exhibit, she wanted to make sure that her dolls were accessible to the public. "I reached a point where I felt a strong desire to share these dolls with others," she says.
The exhibit provides visitors with a unique opportunity to experience America's history through the eyes of African-American dolls. These dolls range from those made by enslaved women in the 1850s to post-slavery dolls. The latter, although featuring more defined facial features, still often depicted Black children in stereotypical ways. "Some of the dolls were still very derogatory," Stennis-Williams points out. "And unlike the dolls made during slavery, many of these were not created by Black mothers, but rather by white manufacturers."
Among the dolls on display are also those made by the first Black doll company in the United States, called The Negro Doll Company. It was founded in the early 1900s by a formerly enslaved man named Richard Henry Boyd. Stennis-Williams explains, "After the end of slavery, as Black people began to climb the economic ladder, they wanted better for their children than the derogatory dolls that were on the market." This led to the creation of the company, which aimed to provide Black children with dolls that represented them in a positive light.
The exhibit also showcases the economic growth of the Black community during the 1920s and 1930s, as well as the collaboration between Jackie Ormes, the first Black cartoonist, and the Terri Lee Doll Co. to create the Patty Jo Doll. Moving into the 1960s, the dolls highlight the Civil Rights Movement and even include some that were used as evidence in the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case, which desegregated schools. Stennis-Williams points out that a study presented in the case revealed that, when given the choice, Black children overwhelmingly preferred to play with white dolls over Black dolls. "The study, conducted by the Clarks, was used by the Supreme Court to demonstrate the devastating effects of segregation in education," she explains.
Stennis-Williams' free museum is just part of her efforts to bring about reform as a formerly incarcerated woman. She also runs a nonprofit organization called ReConnect Success, where she and her team assist currently or formerly incarcerated individuals in finding meaningful careers. Her two museums, Mama's Attic and the Doll Museum of African-American History, are open to visitors by appointment only. Everyone is welcome, including school groups and clubs, and admission is free. More information about making an appointment can be found on the Mama's Attic website.
This incredible woman's work has not gone unnoticed. Recently, at the Give Her FlowHERS Gala, Snoop Dogg and his wife Shante Broadus were surprised with a special award in recognition of their contributions to society. Among the honorees was none other than LaVon Stennis-Williams, who was being recognized for her outstanding work with her museums and nonprofit organization. It is truly inspiring to see individuals like her using their passion and talents to make a positive impact in the world.
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