Florence Theriault so eloquently wrote in the forward to Ms. Seeley’s 1994 autobiography For the Love of Dolls and Roses “Mildred Seeley occupies a unique position in the world of doll collecting. Her collection of antique dolls is one of the finest in the world. For like all great art collectors, she had learned to select, then to ‘deselect,’ to build, then to eliminate, then to choose again, always upgrading, always improving. A doll artist of consummate talent.

An innovative organizer, she founded the Doll Artisan Guild; an accomplished writer, she authored several very readable and purposeful books; an inveterate ‘sharer,’ she started many, many would-be collectors on the path of successful doll knowledge. It is not an exaggeration to say that Millie Seeley contributed in a dramatic way to the rebirth of the entire doll movement in the late 20th century.”

Luckily, many individuals and groups have been vigilant in celebrating World Doll Day. Some doll clubs have collectively purchased dolls to give to junior collector groups and some individuals have orchestrated toy drives to give to local charitable organizations. One of our Corporate Members, Ruby Lane, has consistently posted World Doll Day reminders with wonderful ideas on how to celebrate and share, many penned by our own Linda Edward. And thanks go to UFDC Member-At-Large, Karen Kosies, who has done a lot of work to keep World Doll Day in the public eye.