The Baby Dolls were created by two women of color, Leola Tate and Beatrice Hill in an area called Black Storyville. This small area was considered as the red-light district for Black men. Due to Jim Crow laws Black men were not allowed to roam in Stroyville. This was a rough and impoverished area. Not only were people of color prohibited from areas like Storyville but, they were not allowed to participate in Carnival, so they created their own. This is how the tradition started.
Baby dolls were known for being fierce women who carried sticks, threw money in the air and smoked cigars. They paraded through their neighborhoods making their own music. Today there are over twenty groups and many of the women are working professionals with their own businesses and careers. You can find the dolls parading throughout the city at festivals and of course the big day, Carnival!
