National Barbie Day
Today is National Barbie Day, and Mattel has made history with its new "Shero" collection of barbie beauties in recognition of National Women's History Month.
We’re a long way from the first Barbie doll in 1959. She was clad in a one-piece bathing suit, and didn't really look very much like me. The trends would change the next year and the year after that, but the mission was always the same: represent the Western beauty standard of the day. Her clothes were different but her face never changed; the dolls that were supposed to represent allwomen were carbon copies.
Even when Mattel ventured to create the first black Barbie in 1980, there was no facial variety. That Barbie doll bore the same features as her counterparts, just with tan skin. Sold to children everywhere, these dolls left them aspiring to be the impossible. However, if Barbie today is any indication of media perception and evolution, things are certainly changing.
In honor of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, Mattel has released three dolls for their “Inspiring Women” collection. While the company hasn’t said when, the dolls will be mass produced and sold in stores, HuffPost reports. If you were unable to get those Gabby Douglas and Ava DuVernay dolls, this might be your chance.