Buy Books for the Baby Dolls

"Walking Raddy: The Baby Dolls of New Orleans " is a glorious celebration of the women's masking and marching tradition. Susan Larson, host of WWNO public radio's "The Reading Life"

In 2016, One Book One New Orleans , a campaign for community and literacy,  provided an opportunity for many in the Baby Doll tradition to speak their truths and spread their joy.  They "showed up and showed out" for literacy.  The book launch for "Walking Raddy" as fundraiser is both an expression of appreciation and a testimony of the value of the work of OBONO by those in the tradition, scholars, writers and artists.

This GoFundMe Campaign is to subsidize the costs of the fundraiser so that all proceeds can benefit this deserving nonprofit.  The expenses include: costs of copies of "Walking Raddy" for the Baby Dolls (est. $2000), refreshments ($est. 500), honorariums for the performers ($300) and printing costs for event programs and certificates of recognition for the volunteers including the Baby Dolls (est. $300) and GoFundMe fees (est. $300).  The Baby Doll groups are donating memorabilia to raise money for OBONO.  They are deserving of a complementary copy of the book. Musicians can not work for free! The Black Storyville Baby Dolls are donating refreshments and  should be assisted with their generosity. These funds are needed  by July 15, 2018.  Not getting the goal means less of everything :(.

The Baby Dolls, One Book One New Orleans and Literacy Alliance of Greater New Orleans

On September 29 2016, OBONO joined their partners at the Literacy Alliance of Greater New Orleans to present a panel discussion on Women Breaking Barriers in Literacy. Three educators were joined by three recipients of the "Women Breaking Barriers in Literacy" award for their work to overcome obstacles and achieve their educational goals.  The adult education curriculum on the book "The Baby Dolls Breaking the Race and Gender Barriers of the New Orleans Tradition" (the 2016 OBONO selection) was written by Petrice Sams-Abiodun, Ph.D. Janice Kimble, founder of the Treme Baby Dolls, speaks about the importance of passing the tradition to the next generation.  See more about the work here. 



Merline Kimble, founder of the Gold Digger Baby Doll, and contributor to "Walking Raddy" is pictured here with "Counting Descent", OBONO's 2017 selection. 

2016 One Book One New Orleans volunteer project leaders:  Jennie Merrill, Elizabeth Hyman and Megan Holt (who is now executive director of OBONO), Blue Cypress bookstore owner,  Elizabeth Barry Ahlquist, and the New Orleans Creole Belle Baby Dolls at the Young Leadership Council's Wednesday at the Square.


Black Storyville Baby Dolls at OBONO's Last Cookout, 2017


The future belongs to the children who read, discuss, perform and celebrate each other.




Book cover photo: Strut Baby Dolls, oil on water by Ruth Owens, MD