As I pondered the meaning of International Women's Day my mind zeroed in immediately on some of what I call my favorite "hero-women"... My heroes are women who shrugged off obstacles, persisted in chasing personal or community wide dreams, envisioning a new way of doing things or simply living independent lives of their own design. Since Katrina, Millisia White has revived a tradition birthed in 1912 in a nuanced challenge to segregation by black women sex workers who chose to march for Mardi Gras, a first in itself, and to call themselves "Baby Dolls" to declare their precious status. That then audacious gesture has survived more than a century, freshened by Millisia White.

By: Jeanne Nathan, WBOK 1230 AM (New Orleans, La)

“Even through the eras, it was the dance that brought them all together,” she says. “That’s what we want to bring back to the forefront of this whole tradition.”

By: Katherine M. Johnson

“Even through the eras, it was the dance that brought them all together,” she says. “That’s what we want to bring back to the forefront of this whole tradition.”

By: Katherine M. Johnson

“As founder and artistic director of New Orleans Society of Dance Baby Doll Ladies, Millisia White is committed to promoting culturally-centered dance in New Orleans.”

By: NATIONALGEOGRAPHIC.com

"Students, faculty, staff, and special guests of Vic A. Pitre Elementary received a special treat earlier this year. They had a visit from members of the New Orleans Society of Dance, New Orleans Baby Doll Ladies featuring Musical Ambassador, DJ Hektik. What was so special about this visit? The NOSD Baby Doll Ladies bring—not only a fabulous performance, but the 104 year old history of doll masquerading and parading in New Orleans."

By: Jefferson Parish Public School System; School News

“We bring the sun, the fun and the spirit of New Orleans. We will transform Herald Square into Bourbon Street on Thanksgiving Day,” Millisia White, Artistic Director for New Orleans Society of Dance Baby Doll Ladies said.

By: Kenny Lopez, WGNO

“Our performance group selection committee is committed to finding the most original and talented regional talent in the nation,” says Flores. “When we saw the Baby Doll Ladies’ application, we knew we had an opportunity to showcase a truly authentic New Orleans tradition in a modern spirit on a national stage. As proud as we are of all of our groups, opportunities like this rarely show up in such talented packages. We’re thrilled to have them join us and share their talents.” -Sara Flores, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Creative Manager

By: Kelly Parker, Louisiana Weekly

From The Big Easy to the Big Apple, Millisia White's Baby Doll Ladies along with DJ Hektic will be performing in the 88th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

By: Kenny Lopez, WGNO 26 NEWS (N.O., La.)

“In the words of my friend Couture Maddness, it’s in the booty, not the back,” says Millisia White, artistic director of the New Orleans Society of Dance’s Baby Doll Ladies, a group that pays homage to traditional black-Creole culture."

By: Reed Tucker, New York Post

"Though the Carnival season is long gone, the historic Baby Doll Ladies remain hard at work; entertaining, while educating us on a cherished local tradition. The ladies are popping up at various events around the city, and they’ve become part of the mainstay of the celebration of Mardi Gras, post Hurricane Katrina. Now, some of the treasured stories told of the Baby Dolls from a century ago are coming to an entertainment stage."                                  

By: Kelly Parker, Nola Defender         

"White's revival produced the Baby Doll Ladies, with costumes, face paint, music and dances that are modern takes on the Baby Dolls of the past. Rather than using a live band, her brother DJ Hektik plays mixes of hip-hop and jazz for their choreographed performances.  But White also wanted to bring back the community focus central to the Baby Doll tradition."

By: Shaina Negron, CNN

"No amount of historical background could prepare the crowd for Millisia White's Baby Doll Ladies with DJ Hektik at the New Orleans Jazz Fest on Saturday. That's because, although the dancers continue the 100-year-old baby doll tradition, they have made it their own."

By: Stephanie Bruno, NOLA.com

"Mardi Gras Indians are, at this point, a well-understood phenomenon. There have been scholarly studies, pop-culture head-nods, and heaps of plaudits from the larger community. This should have been the fate of the Baby Dolls, Millisia White thinks, and it’s a gap in our Carnival consciousness that she and her Baby Doll Ladies are looking to correct."

By: Sam Primeaux, Offbeat Magazine

"2012 marks 100 years since groups of lovely ladies, sashayed through the sixth ward and many other neighborhoods; and thanks to a local dance company, the baton; or in this case the bonnet, has been passed to the next generation. New Orleans’ third-generation “Baby Dolls,” are Millisia White’s New Orleans Baby Doll Ladies, of The New Orleans Society of Dance."

By: Kelly Parker, The Louisiana Weekly

"In commemoration of the New Orleans Baby Doll Ladies' Centennial-year anniversary, the New Orleans Society of Dance hosted a private luncheon accompanied with good food, good company and good conversation. The exclusive affair took place at Dickie Brennan's Palace Cafe; 605 Canal St., New Orleans, La. at one o'clock in the afternoon."

By: The Post Signal; Crowley, La.

"Those in Millisia’s group are the newest to pick up the “Baby Dolls” mantle.  They do so with the blessing of Miriam Batiste-Reed, matriarch & "original" Babydoll of one of New Orleans' most popular musical families." 

By: Kim Vaz, PhD. for The LA Cultural Vistas Magazine & 64parishes.com

"A form of empowerment for women. Music, song and dance" are the call to arms for Millisia White & her Baby Doll Ladies, an off-shoot of the New Orleans Society of Dance production company."

By: Alicia Edwards for The Louisiana Weekly

WGNO 26 NEWS (N.O., La.); Baby Doll Ladies Formal Recruitment of Honorary Members

WGNO 26 NEWS (N.O., La.); Baby Doll Ladies keep Mardi Gras Tradition Alive