Counterfactual

The Parallel Lives of Dawn and Lela

In 85 girls, Dawn found its level. 50 years earlier, Lela occupied that same statistical address.

1888–2025

Dawn

peak 1970 2025 18801900192019401960198020002020
Peak year 1970
Peak births 15,681
Latest count 85
Status Endangered
Peak generation Gen X
1880–2025

Lela

peak 1921 2025 18801900192019401960198020002020
Peak year 1921
Peak births 907
Latest count 76
Status Endangered
Peak generation Greatest Generation
In 85 girls, Dawn found its level. 50 years earlier, Lela occupied that same address. One peaked in the Greatest Generation era; the other in the Gen X world. They never met. But the data remembers them both.