A student convocating with a bachelor of science in marine biology hung up her ‘Helly Hansons’ to wear an 80-year-old graduation gown that belonged to her great grandmother.
Tiffany Small has known about the family tradition her whole life and tributes her interest in the ocean to the woman who inspired her.
She says when going to university was on the radar for her, the gown was a given.
Small says to wear the robe is an honour.
She says the robe represents the past and the future and that it is special to have a connection with her great-grandmother, of whom she has never met, and it is nice to have her there on her big day as support.
Small says the story goes full circle. She also says she is proud of the women who wore the robe especially because back in the early 1900s, it was special for a woman to get an education.