Women's History Month 2023: Her Doilies

One thing that I and others associate with grandmas is various types of crocheted, knitted, and tatted items. Doilies. 

From the collection of Gena Philibert-Ortega

Doilies can be found on tables, chair arms, the back of chairs, and really anywhere that needs a little decoration.  Doilies can be one solid color, or they can have various colors like the one pictured.

I decided to end Women's History Month with something simple, doilies. Too often, we don't spend time telling the story of our female ancestors because the genealogically-relevant records seem to be missing. But the items we need to tell her story are all around us, we just need to look.

Women's History Month 2023: Her Ring

 Rings can be beautiful, but they can also have meaning. We discussed wedding rings earlier in the week but what about other types of rings? For example, a class ring might be symbolic and provide information about where and when she graduated. What about other organizations? What was she a member of?

Photo by Gary W Clark, PhotoTree.com. Used with permission.

This example is from the Daughters of Rebekah. Founded in 1851, the Rebekahs were an all-white fraternal auxiliary of the International Order of Oddfellows. Members were originally the wives and daughters of male IOOF members. Today, both men and women can be members of the Rebekahs and do not have to be related to a male member of the IOOF. Rebekahs is still a branch of IOOF but it is also a service organization. 

If you Google the words Daughters of Rebekah Ring, you'll see other examples of rings with the images of a three-link chain, dove, lily, moon, and seven stars. 

Jewelry might be something she purchased or was gifted to show her pride in her membership, a level or membership, or service. A look in her jewelry box or a photo of her might reveal a piece of jewelry that has a symbol, letters, or looks to be different than other pieces. That jewelry might help to tell her story.