Adele Simpson Blue Silk Dress

Silk dress and belt. Dark blue printed silk dress with V-neckline. Modified kimono style short sleeves. 5" wide midriff inset in front. Draping is pleated into upper midriff seam, continues up and over the shoulder, then attaches at top of back neck. Bodice dips to deep V in back, shaped with princess seaming and vertical darts. Skirt is cut in one piece with two pleats at side fronts, one at side and deep inverted pleat at center back. Back zipper with hook/eye
Fully interlined in purple silk . 1/2" wide self belt with rectangular self buckle.

HCT.1989.449.1ab

This dress belonged to Mary A. Roess. Mary was born in Oil City, Pennsylvania in 1912 to Sarah and William Roess. She was the second youngest of eight children. She received her A.B. in mathematics from Capital University in 1933 and her Masters in student personnel administration from Syracuse University in 1941. While at Capital University, Mary was the first woman to receive Capital University's Outstanding Senior Woman Athlete Award. She lettered in baseball, basketball, field hockey, volleyball and hiking. Mary was the Assistant Dean of Women and Instructor in Business Education at the Teacher's College of Connecticut beginning in 1941 before returning to Capital University in 1944 to take a position as an instructor in Mathematics. She would also assume the position of Associate Dean of Women in 1944 before becoming the Dean of Women in 1945. She would serve as the Associate Dean of Student Affairs at Capital University beginning in 1970.

Adele Simpson

1950-1959