Counterfactual
The Parallel Lives of Sheila and Opal
In 65 girls, Sheila found its level. 50 years earlier, Opal occupied that same statistical address.
1907–2025
Sheila
Peak year
1962
Peak births
8,778
Latest count
65
Status
Endangered
Peak generation
Boomer
1880–2025
Opal
Peak year
1918
Peak births
2,847
Latest count
740
Status
Rising
Peak generation
Greatest Generation
In 65 girls, Sheila found its level. 50 years earlier, Opal occupied that same address. One peaked in the Greatest Generation era; the other in the Boomer world. They never met. But the data remembers them both.