Photographs courtesy of Rachel McCullough Sherrod of Starkey’s Daughter Cloth Dolls
Name: Amanda
Made by and When: Rachel McCullough Sherrod of Starkey’s Daughter Cloth Dolls, 2021
Material: Wool-blend felt face over sculpted polymer clay, stuffed wool-blend felt arms and legs, and stuffed cotton-blend material (for the head and torso)
Marks: Signed by the artist, Rachel McCullough Sherrod of Starkey’s Daughter Cloth Dolls and dated, 2021
Height: 20 inches (the hairstyle adds about 3 inches)
Hair, Eyes, Mouth: Multiple upswept black synthetic braids adorned with a red headband, hand-painted eyes and mouth
Clothes: White cotton shell, yellow full-length coat, black slacks, undies, black socks, black slippers, gold tone hoop earrings sewn to ear lobes
Other: This is a one-of-a-kind commissioned doll inspired by Amanda Gorman, the first person to be named National Youth Poet Laureate of the United States in 2017; the youngest White House inaugural poet having recited her poem, “The Hill We Climb,” during President Biden’s inauguration, and the first poet ever to perform during the Super Bowl. The doll’s clothing and hairstyle were fashioned after the clothes and hairstyle worn by the poet at the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States held on January 20, 2021. The final verse of the inaugural poem is embroidered in yellow thread on the back of the doll’s yellow coat.
“For there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it.
If only we’re brave enough to be it.”—Amanda Gorman
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Absolutely marvelous creation!! I shared it with my entire doll club, Ann Arbor Doll Collectors, They were equally enthralled. Amanda’s reading on that Inauguration Day was the highlight. Of course, I would love to own her doll replica.
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Thank you so much for your comment and for sharing this installation with your doll club, Ann Arbor Doll Collectors.
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