1948 - A 1948 Princess Then and Now in 2007
Italy
The picture above was taken in May 2006 of the noted sculptor and artist JIMILU Mason. In 1948, she was the first cherry blossom princess to represent the Illinois State Society of Washington, DC in the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Her father L.B. Mason was a Chicago attorney who served as Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission under President Harry Truman. Jimilu and her parents were members of the Illinois State Society. Two of Jimilu's sculptures are on display at the U.S. Capitol Building.
