A little over a month ago, I received an email asking if I had made Anne Frank dolls ( I have made several, including one for the museum in Europe). Before responding, I decided to Google Natalie Flaherty, the person asking. I wasn’t expecting the search to tell me much, maybe just whether this was a child or an adult. However, I learned a lot. First, she is a child, an amazing child, and she was deeply connected to the story of Anne Frank.

Natalie is a child, a middle schooler in a small town in Minnesota. Through emails and articles, I learned a lot more about Natalie—all very impressive. When Natalie was eight, she learned about Anne Frank while her Mom was watching a documentary about her. She learned that Anne had a diary and begged her mother for a copy. Her mother waited until Natalie was old enough to comprehend the Holocaust. Natalie believed in the goodness of people and that kids also have the power to make change. She didn’t want Anne’s story to be forgotten or repeated, and she wanted others to learn from it too. She started to make posters and rubber bracelets that said “I stand with Anne, put a stop to hate.” She gave out over 100,00 bracelets (paid with her own money). The US Holocaust Memorial Museum, The Florida Holocaust Museum, The Anne Frank House, Anne Frank LA, and The Anne Frank Center, USA are giving the bracelets to patrons.

Natalie has been asked to speak about Anne Frank at a tree-planting in Omaha, Nebraska, and other places in the Midwest. She feels grateful for the opportunity to meet Holocaust survivor Trudy Strobel.

“She was notable in many ways, connecting me more to the victims of the holocaust and to her story. She was a beautiful person and actually gave me a Dutch Doll from the 50s. She had a doll that was taken from her during her time in the camps and dolls are very meaningful to her.”

“After the tree planting in Omaha, I realized I could have a piece of Anne near me forever if I really wanted to, and decided to fill out the applications to bring one of Anne’s historic trees to my small community. My request was granted, and we planted a small piece of Anne’s story right here in my hometown in May of 2025.”

Natalie continues to work with the Anne Frank Center and is pleased that they now offer “I stand with Anne” clothing.

Last August Natalie traveled with her family to Amsterdam and went to the Anne Frank House.

“It was so humbling and somber to feel so close to the person I have spent my life trying to appreciate. I sat in her room in the Annex for as long as I had time for and just listened to the quiet of the space and her lingering presence in my heart. It was such a special experience, and I hope one day I get to work or intern there. I know I am currently only 12, but I have hope that other young people feel inspired to also work to change the world.”

So, of course, I sent Natalie an Anne Frank doll.

A few years ago, I received an email from Eva Bloom, a ten-year-old girl, telling me she loved my dolls and was hoping to get one for Christmas. I was melted by the email and wanted very much for her to get one for Xmas too. However, when I scanned the purchases of the three months leading up to the holiday, I was fairly certain her parents were not on there.

Three years later, I received an email from the now 13-year-old Eva, asking if I could make a custom doll, an Anne Frank doll, and how much would it cost. Eva wanted to start saving.

Eva did not need to save. I wanted nothing more than to make an Anne Frank doll. My oldest daughter had also been obsessed with Anne Frank's story and other similar stories. She had devoured so many young adult books on the Holocaust, that we went to the Holocaust Museum bookstore in Washington DC to find more books.

Eva explained her fascination with Anne, "I found interest in Anne Frank while I was reading her book. With a diary like hers, I could really see what it was like during the Holocaust for a girl in hiding. It stuck with me because I felt she was similar to me, when reading her book I felt transported into her everyday life. I read the book one year ago and the play two months ago. I also read two unabridged versions and watched the movie. I would strongly recommend her diary."

Anne's clothes fit perfectly within the 1940s clothing set I was designing last November. Read more about the collection here and here.

And what could be more sentimental than designing an Anne Frank doll? She was a beautiful girl with an amazing spirit.

As I was designing and making Anne, nearly two thousands miles away in a small town in North Dakota, Eva, was working on her sewing skills and Anne Frank's wardrobe. Eva used the patterns and tutorials from my website to create Anne's wardrobe.

"I learned how to stitch when I was three years old, but I think I was seven before I started sewing things together. My mom, grandmas from both sides of the family, and our good friend Sara Malles were the ones who taught me.

"However, Lisa Is the one who got me to sew more than ever before. Her patterns really got me going. I have been sewing for Anne Frank about 4 months now. I have so many dresses I'm not sure what to do with them all!" In my next post I will have some of Eva's tips for sewing doll clothes and lots of pictures of her amazing clothes.

Anne Frank arrived in time for Christmas. And Eva's father captured the moment(s) beautifully.

Next post, Anne's beautiful clothes and doll clothes sewing tips from Eva.