WATTS : Doll Sales to Benefit Drew University

Doll artist Sigrid Williams was looking for a way to help the black community, but didn’t know where to start--until she turned on her television.

“It’s a project that I actually thought about after watching a news program on Drew University’s magnet program that pairs up medical students at the school with kids in Watts,” Williams said.

After viewing the broadcast earlier this year, Williams began producing a limited edition of porcelain dolls to benefit Charles R. Drew University in Watts. She said a portion of the sales, about $100,000, will go to the school’s general education fund.

Williams said she contacted the school after doing some research: “What really stuck in my mind was that there are only four black medical schools in the country and Drew is the only one on the West Coast.”

The Drew and Jackie dolls, named after surgeon Charles R. Drew, for whom the university was named, and Williams’ cousin, Dr. Jackie Williams, were unveiled Wednesday at the university. Each doll will sell for about $450; 500 Jackie and 500 Drew dolls will be made.

Williams intends to sell the dolls to the medical community through her doll workshop, “Beautiful Brown Babes,” in Northern California. She said she wants to market the dolls in a number of national magazines as well as at a medical conference in San Antonio this summer.

The dolls are made using a mold sculpted by Williams. Liquid porcelain is then poured into it and allowed to harden. Williams then begins the long and difficult process of painting each doll. The porcelain doll is fired in a kiln, and then clothing, wigs and other finishing touches are added. The 20-inch-tall Drew and Jackie dolls are dressed in operating greens or traditional white medical smocks and come with miniature stethoscopes.

“This is the biggest donation we’ve received for the general education fund and we’re very excited,” said university spokeswoman Rose Wright, who said the fund is used to help students buy books or help pay for various family emergencies.

Founded in 1966, Drew University has about 400 students in both the medical school and College of Allied Health, in addition to doctors in residence. The school at East 120th Street also operates 19 Head Start sites at area schools and King/Drew Medical Magnet High School.