When I was about 10 years old, I went to a flea market and found a button with a Raggedy Ann picture inside of it. I decided that this was the "Raggedy doll of the Month" badge, and that I would rotate it throughout my collection every month. Well, wouldn't you know it: "Raggie" was the first recipient, and has been the bearer of the badge ever since. We now refer to her as the "Raggie of the Century".She stands about 18" tall, and was made by a friend of my mother's.
Raggie accompanied my sister and I to our first Raggedy Ann Festival in 1993. Although we had a bit of a rocky start, (she slipped out of my bag in the parking lot of our apartment complex, landing face down on the asphalt) I'm sure it was one of the most exciting weekends of her life. I carried a small tote bag with me all weekend, with Raggie peeking out the top. It was the first time in years that I had brought her out with me in a public place, and I know it made her very happy. She still smiles when she thinks about it today.