The Cortez Public Library has a unique collection of dolls on display until Sept. 1. Judy Wolfe is the owner of this collection, which features dolls from around the world, as well as a few books about international cultures.
The dolls are made of different materials and come from different cultures, representing different identities. Several Native American tribes from states like Alaska, Colorado, Oklahoma, New Mexico, South Dakota and Wisconsin are represented in this collection. Several dolls are from Central and South America, while others are from African and Asian countries.
A Journal reporter spoke to Wolfe about her collection, and she explained the origin of her passion for dolls. She said she always liked dolls, especially Indigenous dolls found in flea markets or cultural centers.
She spoke of the summer of 1974 when she was in Mexico. She bought a doll for her daughter, and then one for herself. Since then, she has made it her goal to find a unique doll from every place she visits.
“I spent three months in Africa in 2002, and bought several African dolls,” Wolfe said. “I enjoy traveling.” Her travels have allowed her to grow her collection, and she happily shows them in public.
Wolfe used to work for Indian Health Services in Shiprock, which was a job that allowed her to travel all over the U.S. Her goal was to visit various tribes across the country and buy a doll from them, either from a stall or cultural center.
She traveled to each country to buy these dolls, except Peru. During her time at Indian Health Services, there was an opportunity for her collection to be on display in the atrium where patients could go see it. Wolfe wanted to display them again because of how unique the collection is.
