Martha Tucker is 94 years old today.She has four children, eleven grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and a great-grandson.As a teenager, she had always dreamed of wearing a classic white dress on her wedding day, as reported by the "Washington Post".But when she married in 1952, she was denied access to the bridal fashion business - due to her skin color.
As black in Birmingham, Alabama, she was not allowed to try on a dress.Your dream dress: a embroidered white dress with lace coating and long sleeves.As she explained the "Washington Post", she didn't even think about buying a wedding dress "because I knew I couldn't go into the store".For many years it was her dream to wear a wedding dress.A dream that should come true.
Racial segregation in the 50s
In 1952 there were no bridal fashion shops in black property in the city.In the "Washington Post", Martha Tucker remembers that retail stores in white owners are not allowed to try out clothing: "If you wanted to buy something, you had to buy used things in the basement."
Tucker and her husband married in a simple ceremony in the living room of their pastor.Martha Tucker still makes no traditional wedding - or just a dress at all.."I always had the feeling that I should have had the opportunity to wear [a wedding dress] if I wanted it," she says.I've always wanted to wear a wedding dress
The saving idea that Martha Tucker's dream was still fulfilled came from her granddaughter Angela Strozier. Während beide einen Film zusammen sahen, drehte sich Tucker zur 46-Jährigen um, und sagte: "I've always wanted to wear a wedding dress.I've wanted to do that for a long time since I got married."Until this moment, the granddaughter had never been aware that her grandmother had never had the opportunity to put on a wedding dress due to the skin color.
Strozier booked an appointment in a bridal shop for a sample from Martha Tucker's dream dress.She invited some family members to the appointment."I just wanted to do that for her," said Strozier about the "Washington Post"."I wanted her to understand that a postponed dream does not have to be a refused dream."
The dream becomes true
Before the appointment, Angela Strozier went lunch with her 94-year-old grandmother and let her make the make-up.Then it was finally time: Although the bridal style of the bridal fashion business was clear that Tucker would not buy a dress, but would only try it on, she showed the old lady as thorough as she did with any other bride.The opportunity to help her fulfill this dream was an honor for her, she explained to the "Washington Post".
Then Tucker showed enthusiastically on a window doll: "My name is on this dress."Shortly afterwards Tucker came out of the changing room.She was wearing a white lace dress with sequins, with a V-neck, transparent sleeves and a belt made of glittering crystals."My dream had come true," said Tucker - almost 70 years after her wedding.
Emotional trial
While Tucker looked at the mirror in disbelief, family, employees and other brides gathered around them for their own appointments around them."She came out and the tears started," the granddaughter recalled.But nobody was more enthusiastic than Tucker, who tried a second dress including a tights to feel like a real bride.
"I wish I had worn this dress when I got married," said Tucker.Her husband died in 1975."I wish he could have seen me in it."Nevertheless, she decided: better late than never."I always said before I leave this world, I want to put on a wedding dress," said Tucker."And I'm glad I did it."
Source: "Washington Post"
