Quaker Dress c. 1937

Lillian Causey rendered this watercolor, "Quaker Dress," in muted tones on paper. Causey lived through a period of immense social change for women. Consider the late 19th century, a time when ideals of domesticity and piety were being challenged by women seeking autonomy and agency. The dress, with its high neckline, long sleeves, and absence of ornamentation speaks to the Quaker values of simplicity and modesty. But consider also, its historical context: dress reform movements were gaining traction, advocating for more practical clothing that would allow women greater freedom of movement. What does it mean to depict a garment rooted in religious tradition during a time of such social upheaval? "Quaker Dress" offers a glimpse into the complex negotiation of identity, faith, and social change. The image offers a window into the tensions and negotiations that women navigated as they sought to redefine their roles in a rapidly changing world.