In a groundbreaking move to celebrate Pride Month and her milestone 50th birthday in 2022, Laverne Cox, an acclaimed actress and LGBTQ+ activist, joined forces with Barbie to create a one-of-a-kind Tribute Collection doll. As the first transgender actress to receive a Primetime acting Emmy Award nomination for her role in “Orange Is the New Black,” Cox has made significant contributions to the entertainment industry. Alongside her acting career, she also produced the Emmy-winning documentary “Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word,” which follows the journeys of seven transgender young adults. Cox expressed her excitement about collaborating with Barbie, stating that creating her own doll has been a long-held dream. She hopes that her doll’s presence on store shelves will provide fans with the opportunity to add a transgender role model to their collection and inspire them to dream big, just as she has throughout her own career.
Continuing its commitment to highlighting influential women, Barbie introduced Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and civil rights activist Ida B. Wells to its Inspiring Women series in 2022. Wells, who lived from 1862 to 1931, played a crucial role in exposing the horrors of lynching and racism in the South through her investigative journalism. She also played a significant part in founding the NAACP. With the assistance of Wells’ great-grandchildren, Mattel created the doll, which is now available at major retailers. Michelle Duster, Wells’ great-granddaughter, expressed her deep honor to see her great-grandmother represented in the Barbie Inspiring Women Series. She highlighted Wells’ unwavering dedication to fighting for freedom, justice, and equality, emphasizing that her work and story remain relevant and inspiring in today’s world.
In recognition of the heroic efforts of frontline workers during the pandemic, Mattel released a line of dolls in 2021 dedicated to honoring these individuals. Among the honorees was Professor Sarah Gilbert, a prominent vaccinology expert at Oxford University, who played a pivotal role in developing the AstraZeneca vaccine. Alongside her, four other frontline workers from around the world were commemorated as Barbie dolls. Each doll represents the exceptional contributions and sacrifices made by these individuals in combating the coronavirus pandemic.
Barbie also pays homage to trailblazers in various fields, including space exploration. Samantha Cristoforetti, the first Italian female European Space Agency astronaut, became a Barbie doll in celebration of World Space Week in October 2021. Equipped with her own space suit and helmet, the Cristoforetti Barbie embarked on a zero-gravity flight to provide an immersive experience. Cristoforetti expressed her hope that the doll’s representation would ignite excitement among young girls and inspire a passion for space exploration.
As an ode to women’s achievements in sports, doll versions of celebrated athletes have been introduced. Tennis star Naomi Osaka joined Barbie’s “Role Models” series, highlighting her significant accomplishments in the sport. Abby Wambach, a revered soccer player, emphasized the importance of dolls that reflect the diverse experiences of young girls. Ice-dancing medalist Tessa Virtue also received recognition as a Barbie “Shero,” with her doll sporting a replica of her costume from the 2018 Winter Olympics.
Barbie’s Inspiring Women series showcases remarkable figures who have shaped history. Mathematician Katherine Johnson, renowned as one of NASA’s “Hidden Figures,” is immortalized in doll form. Her contributions to NASA’s space missions were highlighted in the critically acclaimed film “Hidden Figures.” Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, is depicted in a Barbie doll wearing a NASA jumpsuit and carrying a space helmet. Amelia Earhart, an aviation pioneer, demonstrates Barbie’s dedication to celebrating inspiring women, while civil rights hero Rosa Parks is commemorated in a doll that captures her iconic style. The Inspiring Women series also includes artist and feminist icon Frida Kahlo, recognizing her significant contributions to the art world and women’s rights.
Barbie also honors contemporary figures who have left an indelible mark on society. Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb, the first all-female anchor team in “Today” show history, received Barbie dolls as a testament to their groundbreaking achievement. Zendaya, an influential role model and advocate for cultural representation, had her iconic look from the 2015 Oscars immortalized in doll form. Model and body-positive activist Ashley Graham ensured that her Barbie doll accurately represented her own body image, advocating for diversity and inclusivity.
Barbie’s commitment to diversity and representation is evident in its extensive range of dolls that celebrate women from various backgrounds and fields. With each doll, Barbie aims to inspire young girls to dream big and believe in their own potential to effect change in the world.
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