Mattel
Mattel has released a new Barbie doll celebrating civil rights activist, pioneer, and role model Rosa Parks.
The doll is the one of the latest additions to Barbie’s Inspiring Women series, and will come packaged with educational material regarding her story.
As many know, in 1955, Parks refused to relinquish her seat on a bus to a white man. Her defiance prompted the Montgomery Bus Boycott by people of color, organized by Martin Luther King Jr.
In 1999, Parks was awarded a Congressional Gold Medal by President Bill Clinton.
Parks joins several other historically significant women honored by the dollmaker. Others in the series include Amelia Earhart, NASA physicist and mathematician Katherine Johnson, and artist Frida Kahlo. Alongside the announcement of the Rosa Parks doll, Barbie also introduced a Sally Ride Barbie as well.
The two new releases were fittingly revealed on August 26, which Women’s Equality Day.
The doll series, according to Mattel’s website, “pays tribute to incredible heroines of their time.” It describes the women as “courageous” risk-takers who “changed rules and paved the way for generations of girls to dream bigger than ever before.”
All of the dolls are part of Barbie Signature’s Black Label collection, designed for collectors.
The doll, dressed in a classic 1950s style outfit, retails for $30.99 and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.
Her clothing and accessories include a dress, coat, gloves, clutch, hat and glasses. Additionally, she also comes with a doll stand.
Mattel has seen mostly positive reactions to the strides they’ve been taking to diversify and promote inclusivity. However, they’ve also faced a fair share of criticism.
For starters, some people believe the dolls unrealistically represent real women’s bodies. Their disabled Barbies were also criticized for buttressing the perception that disabled women must have a visible impairment requiring mobility aids.
Last year, the toy company also faced backlash for a black Barbie with unrealistic hair.
They have, however, clearly been making attempts to branch out, away from the outdated styling of the doll. In 2016, they announced dolls with varying body types, including curvy, tall, and petite. They’ve also expanded their range of hairstyles and skin tones.
