Barbie is honoring Thursday’s International Women’s Day by adding 14 modern-day role models to its “Shero” line. The line will be adding women from around the world who have made history in their diverse industries such as Katherine Johnson, Frida Kahlo, and Nicola Adams.
With 86% of US moms worried about the type of role models their daughters are exposed to, we are committed to shining a light on empowering female role models in an effort to inspire more girls.
Join us by sharing your role models using #MoreRoleModels. #IWD2018 pic.twitter.com/FnEuBsDh23
— Barbie (@Barbie) March 6, 2018
Johnson was highlighted in the film Hidden Figures. She broke boundaries for Black women in mathematics by calculating trajectories for NASA, including the famous 1969 Apollo 11 journey to the moon. Kahlo is a Mexican artist who is known for her feminism and unique painting style. Adams is a professional boxer and two-time Olympic gold medalist. She has openly used her voice to empower Black women and members of the LGBTQIA community.
The dolls are part of the Mattel series called “Inspiring Women.” Each figure will come with an informational packet about the women in the collection.
Lisa McKnight, the senior vice president and general manager of Barbie, spoke about the decision to expand the line in a press release. “As a brand that inspires the limitless potential in girls, Barbie will be honoring its largest line up of role models timed to International Women’s Day, because we know that you can’t be what you can’t see.”
Olympic snowboarder Chloe Kim, the first female aviator to cross the Atlantic Amelia Earhart, and Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins are some of the other women honored in the Shero line. Ava DuVernay, Misty Copeland, and Gabby Douglas are women who were honored by the line in the past.
