5 minute read
SIGMA'S BARBIE WORLD
By Sierra Lykins, Eta Kappa
While most history is written about in books or—in 2023—on social media, an important piece of Tri Sigma’s history is also told through a unique collection of dolls.
Tri Sigma's chapter doll tradition began in preparation for a special display at the 1953 Convention. The 65 or so chapters established to that point were asked to dress a doll to represent the era in which their chapter was founded. The display proved to be very popular, so—as Sigma grew—each new chapter added to the collection.
Mattel debuted it's first Barbie Doll In 1959, so most chapters established after that time used some iteration of Barbie to model their chapter fashions. Earlier dolls have a more child-like appearance, as those were the only commercially available.
“They each have their own special meanings and stories behind them,” said NHQ Collegiate Membership Coordinator Dianna Jett, Alpha Upsilon, James Madison University, during a recent visit with a reporter from the Northern Virginia Daily.
“We can see how much we've grown, where we've come from, how the styles have changed, and how women have changed.”
Organized in order of the Greek alphabet, Alpha wears a long white dress representative of the late Victorian fashion era—also known as Gibson Girl style. Hats in 1898 could be described as variable and whimsical, which our Alpha doll dons perfectly.
As World War I continued across Europe, fashion in the United States became more subdued and practical, as shown on the doll from Lambda–Indiana University of Pennsylvania, founded in 1915.
By the late 1920s and early 30s, doll styles began to shift toward “flapper” inspired fashions, as seen on dolls from Alpha Gamma–Fort Hays State University, Alpha Kappa–Fairmont State University and Alpha Nu–Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
Wartime conditions influenced fashion once again in the 1940s. Wearing a bright red button-up sweater over a dark dress, the Alpha Phi doll from Central Michigan University could have fit in on any campus in America. With the 50s came broader shoulder lines and higher waistlines to emphasized an hourglass figure. This can be seen on dolls from Beta Beta–Missouri State University, Beta Gamma–Ball State University, Beta Phi–Florida Southern College, and Beta Chi–Queens College.
In contrast, the doll from Delta Beta–Elon University, is the epitome of 1970s groovy in a tie-dyed rainbow dress, “Flower Power” sign, and a headband sitting across her forehead.
One decade later, the doll from Delta Chi–University of Virginia sports one of the hottest fashion trends of the 1980s—denim on denim. The mid-to-late 80s and early 90s brought brighter colors like Epsilon Mu–Rowan University and oversized sweatshirts sporting our Greek letters, such as Epsilon Alpha–California State University, East Bay and Epsilon Rho–Minnesota State University, Mankato.
The 1991 doll from Zeta Beta–Cameron University shows a different kind of historical viewpoint by wearing a uniform representing those who fought in Operation Desert Storm. Similarly, the Eta Mu doll honors the military women and men who fought in Afghanistan following Sept. 11, 2001.
“In the latter part of the collection, you’ll see one has a Starbucks cup, one has a laptop. It’s the little things that really highlight the era,” said Jett. We even see hints of late-90s grunge with Eta Phi–Pratt Institute and the velour sweatsuit craze with Eta Pi–Metropolitan State University of Denver.
Caitlyn Westfall, Theta Gamma–McKendree University, proudly helped create their 2011 doll which wears a white dress with purple rhinestones to represent the colors of both Tri Sigma and the university.
“She has red hair to honor Josie Blasdel, Alpha Chi, one of Theta Gamma’s long standing advisors. Her dress has purple feathers around the bottom, and she is wearing Josie's signature pearls,” Westfall said. Other outfits range from ballgowns to skiing ensembles. No detail was ignored, and many incorporate Greek letters or our coat of arms on accessories and handbags. The color purple is also prevalent across
the collection, including purple dresses, purple suitcases and even purple hair! While not all chapters are represented, the collection includes about 113 dolls. A handful of chapters that have closed and reopened have multiple dolls, and most founded after 2010 have not been created or photographed. Until recently, the dolls were displayed behind protective glass on the first floor of the Walton House. But— don't worry—they have been lovingly wrapped in acid-free paper and carefully stored until they make their their journey to North Carolina.
Though each chapter was installed at times with different political and social influences, all of our chapters were founded on the same values and each member has taken the same oath of membership. This beautiful collection reminds us that while members and chapters can all be so different, we are all one—we are all Sigma Sigma Sigma.
