Artifact of the Month: 1936 commencement marshal sash

This blue-and-white sash, the February Artifact of the Month, was worn by Nannie Louise Davis in UNC’s 1936 commencement exercises. Badges at the shoulder and hip ornament the sash and gold tassels hang from the ends, rendering it an appropriately regal piece of regalia.

Davis was a junior when she was elected marshal by her class in 1936. This page from the Yackety Yack shows her with her fellow marshals. If she stands out from her peers on this page, it’s with good reason: Louise was the first woman to hold the position.

Davis was born in Goldsboro in 19241914. She began her college career at Duke and transferred to UNC as a sponsored sophomore. As a UNC student, she lettered in basketball and graduated in 1937 with a B.S. in Commerce. The 1937 Yackety Yack also identifies Davis as the Secretary of the Woman’s Association, Treasurer of the Woman’s Athletic Association, President of the Co-ed Class, and a member of the Glee Club. With a résumé like that, it’s no surprise her classmates selected her for the honor of serving as a commencement marshal.

After graduating, Louise lived in Raleigh with her husband Otis Vance Jones Jr. They raised three children and, in 1950, started the Jones Brokerage Company. Louise died two years ago, on Feb. 16, 2010.

2 thoughts on “Artifact of the Month: 1936 commencement marshal sash”

  1. Just saw this about my mother and loved it. However please note that she was born in 1914 not 1924 as written. Thank you very much.

  2. Ms. Armstrong,
    Glad you enjoyed the post. And, thanks for pointing out the error in your mother’s birth date. We should have caught our mistake. If she was born in 1924, as we had it, then she would have graduated from UNC at age 13. That would add one more start to what sounds like a stellar college career!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *