Mattel is honouring the mother of the civil rights movement, Rosa Parks, with her own Barbie.
According to CNN, Mattel announced the debut of the doll on Women’s Equality Day, a day acknowledging the Nineteenth Amendment of the Constitution which established voting rights for white women in 1920.
Mattel will also honour Sally Ride, the first woman and youngest American to fly in space.
We’re adding two courageous women to the #Barbie Inspiring Women Series – Civil Rights activist, Rosa Parks, and the first American woman to fly in space, Sally Ride.
We’re adding two courageous women to the #Barbie Inspiring Women Series – Civil Rights activist, Rosa Parks, and the first American woman to fly in space, Sally Ride.
Barbie Sally Ride doll: @Target
Barbie Rosa Parks doll: @Walmart
Or pre-order now: https://t.co/mnRXP0Sro3 pic.twitter.com/hZIdchCV1p— Barbie (@Barbie) August 26, 2019
The dolls include authentic clothing and accessories, as well as educational information about their lives and their many contributions to society.
“Both Sally Ride and Rosa Parks made the world better for future generations of girls. By celebrating their achievements with dolls made in their likeness, we hope girls will be inspired to pursue their dreams,” a Mattel spokesperson told CNN.
Both dolls will be available for purchase beginning Monday.
The new dolls are a part of Mattel’s Inspiring Women Series. The collection features Katherine Johnson, a mathematician who worked on the first U.S. managed flight to space.
“These historical women broke boundaries that made the world a better place for future generations of girls,” a press release from Barbie stated.
In 2018, Barbie faced some backlash on Instagram when the brand posted a picture of a black doll with a questionable hairstyle.
