Barbie releases dolls celebrating diverse leaders for International Women’s Day
This is the year of the woman and on International Women’s Day March 8, a new, diverse series of Barbie dolls targeted at girls everywhere will roll out.
The Barbies will be an eclectic and diverse group of dolls from various backgrounds and ethnicities; including a doll of the famous painter Frida Kahlo and one of actress and philanthropist Xiaotong Guan, Mashable reports.
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“As a brand that inspires the limitless potential in girls, Barbie will be honoring its largest lineup of role models timed to International Women’s Day because we know that you can’t be what you can’t see,” Lisa McKnight, Barbie’s senior vice president and general manager, said in a press release.
Barbies in History
There will be three historical figures like aviator Amelia Earhart and 14 modern-day women who has made an impact like USA Olympic snowboarder Chloe Kim.
Other modern-day women of distinction made into dolls will include Wonder Woman filmmaker Patty Jenkins, wildlife conservationist Bindi Irwin, championship boxer Nicola Adams, windsurfer Çağla Kubat, chef Hélène Darroze, volleyball champion Hui Ruoqi, and designer and entrepreneur Leyla Piedayesh. Also included will be professional golfer Lorena Ochoa, journalist Martyna Wojciechowska, soccer player Sara Gama, actress and philanthropist Xiaotong Guan, ballerina Yuan Tan, and fashion designer and entrepreneur Vicky Martin.
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“Girls have always been able to play out different roles and careers with Barbie, and we are thrilled to shine a light on real-life role models to remind them that they can be anything,” McKnight said.
Right now the three dolls in the historical Inspiring Women line are currently available for pre-order, and will be available for purchase in the coming months. The 14 modern-day role model dolls are not currently available for sale just yet.
Barbie is also asking fans to join in the fun and share women who inspire them on social media using the hashtag #MoreRoleModels.
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Princess Shuri Doll
Creating dolls focused on helping little girls, especially girls of color, see themselves in a positive light is what inspired a mom and daughter duo to create a Princess Shuri doll, from the Black Panther made from a Princess Tiana doll.
Princess Shuri, played by the breakout star Letitia Wright, has received plenty of praise for being a role model for young Black girls to look up to on the big screen.
So My Froggy Stuff, a mother/daughter duo who work together to create their own custom dolls, have given fans an early Christmas present. In a new DIY video on their YouTube channel, the two designers create a Shuri doll complete with beautiful braids, face paint, and a gorgeous outfit.
The post Barbie releases dolls celebrating diverse leaders for International Women’s Day appeared first on theGrio.
