Barbie celebrates global role models for International Women’s Day

By: POP! Team - 7 years ago

In anticipation of International Women’s Day, Barbie is honoring both historical and modern-day role models from around the world from diverse backgrounds.

“We know that you can’t be what you can’t see,” said Lisa McKnight, senior vice president and general manager of Barbie, in a statement. “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.”

The brand is honoring modern-day role models in their fields, with dolls made in their likeness. Check them out below:

1. Patty Jenkins, United States

Patty Jenkins is a writer and director best known for directing “Wonder Woman”. She is the first woman in history to helm a film with a budget in excess of 100 million dollars. source

2. Leyla Piedayesh, Germany

An Iranian immigrant who founded the fashion label lala Berlin that creates high-quality knitwear. source

3. Yuan Tan, China

Yuan Tan is a Chinese ballet dancer. She is the prima ballerina of the San Francisco Ballet where she holds the rank of principal dancer. She also holds the title of guest principal dancer at the Hong Kong Ballet.source

4. Martyna Wojciechowska, Poland

Martyna Wojciechowska is a journalist, explorer, traveler, writer, producer, movie director, and fighter for women’s empowerment around the world. source

5. Chloe Kim, United States

Chloe Kim is a first generation Asian-American snowboarding champion who, at 17 years old, became the youngest woman to win a gold medal in snowboarding at the 2018 PyeongChang games. source

6. Nicola Adams OBE, Great Britain

Nicola Adams is Great Britain’s most successful female boxer of all time and the first female ever to win a gold medal in boxing. The two-time gold medalist is the only female boxer in the history of the sport to have held all four amateur titles. source

7. Bindi Irwin, Australia

18-year-old Bindi Irwin, daughter of Steve Irwin, is an international award-winning wildlife conservationist and celebrity who inherited her father’s passion for wildlife and wild places. source

8. Frida Kahlo, Mexico

Artist, activist, and feminist icon, Frida Kahlo overcame a number of obstacles to follow her dream of becoming a fine artist. With her vibrant palette and mix of realism and fantasy, she addressed important topics like identity, class, and race. source

9. Ibtihaj Muhammad, United States

Ibtihaj Muhammad is an American sabre fencer and a member of the United States fencing team. She won a bronze medal in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro games, becoming the first female Muslim-American athlete to earn a medal. source

10. Amelia Earhart, United States

Amelia Earhart courageously challenged the conventions of the times by breaking and setting aviation records for women. In 1937, in what was to be a record-making flight as the first woman to fly around the world, her plane vanished without a trace. source

11. Ashley Graham, United States

Ashley Graham is an American model and body activist who has been described as an ambassador of the “real beauty” movement, which celebrates what real women’s bodies look like rather than the impossible standards set by the fashion industry. source

12. Hui Ruoqi, China

Hui Ruoqi is the fifteenth captain of the Chinese women’s national volleyball team and won gold at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro games. Ruoqi has also won several world medals including a silver medal at the World Cup and a silver medal at the World Championships. source

13. Ava Duvernay, United States

Ava Duvernay is an American film director, writer, and producer. Ava became the first African-American female director to receive a Golden Globe nomination and have a film nominated for a Best Picture Oscar. source

14. Gabby Douglas, United States

Gabby Douglas is an American gymnast who became the first African-American in history to win the individual all-around event at the 2012 Games in London. She also won team first-place medals in 2012 and 2016. source

15. Xiaotong Guan, China

Xiaotong Guan is a Chinese actress and philanthropist. In 2017, she became the ambassador for “World Life Day,” a joint campaign by the United Nations Environment Programme, International Fund for Animal Welfare, and The Nature Conservancy. source

16. Katherine Johnson, United States

Katherine Johnson was an African-American pioneer in mathematics who broke through barriers of race and gender. She calculated the trajectory of NASA’s first American-manned flight into space. source

17. Misty Copeland, United States

Misty Copeland is an acclaimed American ballet dancer and the first African-American to be appointed to principal dancer. In 2014, President Obama appointed Misty to the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition. source

18. Sara Gama, Italy

Sara Gama is the captain of the Italian national soccer team. She also holds a seat on the Federal Board and is the President of the Federal Commission for the Development of Women’s Soccer in Italy. source

19. Hélène Darroze, France

Hélène Darroze is a French chef with two Michelin stars and three restaurants. At 32, she opened her first restaurant in Paris which was awarded one Michelin star. She then opened the Hélène Darroze at the Connaught in 2008, which was awarded two Michelin stars. source

Further, Barbie is sparking a global call-to-action by asking fans to tag and share the female role models that inspire them, using #MoreRoleModels on social media.