Tear dress explained

A tear dress is a long dress made of calico worn by Oklahoma Cherokee women.^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}

The tear dress is the official dress of the Cherokee Nation.^[5] Based on a historical dress carried to Indian Territory over the Trail of Tears, the tear dress was first designed in 1969 by Wendell Cochran (Cherokee Nation) and sewn by Elizabeth Higgins (Cherokee Nation) for Virginia Stroud (Keetoowah Cherokee/Muscogee) when she successfully ran for Miss Indian America.^[5]

Notes and References

1. Book: Morrison, Janet. The Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. 2014. Arcadia Publishing. 978-1-4396-4689-2. 90. en.
2. Book: Gaines, Richard. The Cherokee. 2000. ABDO. 978-1-57765-377-6. 12. en.
3. Book: Nelson, Kristen Rajczak. The Trail of Tears: A Journey of Loss. 2017. Greenhaven Publishing. 978-1-5345-6136-6. 85. en.
4. Web site: Coleman. Travina. February 4, 2008. Cherokee tear dresses, a passion. 2020-08-24. Muskogee Phoenix. en.
5. News: Dittman . Whitney . Traditional dress, iconic symbol . 25 July 2023 . Anadisgoi . Summer/Fall 2018 . Cherokee Nation . 35–36.