Toy With A Story: Barbie Honors An Influential Magnificence Entrepreneur

I need to admit; I wasn’t a lot for Barbies after I was little one. I used to be a tomboy and Fisher Price Little People have been extra my jam—particularly the houseboat. (If , ).

However a brand new Barbie caught my consideration.

This yr, Mattel’s blockbuster toy line is recognizing Madam C.J. Walker with an Inspiring Ladies doll. Wearing a floral printed shirt paired with a full-length turquoise skirt, the Madam C.J. Walker doll grasps a miniature reproduction of her unique Fantastic Hair Grower product. Significantly, chemists and packaging designers, it is advisable see the element!

Barbie’s Inspiring Women Series pays tribute to ladies who took dangers, modified guidelines and paved the way in which for generations of ladies. Those that have been honored with their very own dolls embody: Dr. Maya Angelou, Helen Keller, Eleanor Roosevelt, Billie Jean King, Ella Fitzgerald, Florence Nightingale, Susan B. Anthony, Amelia Earhart, Katherine Johnson, Frida Kahlo, Rosa Parks, Sally Trip, Ida B. Wells and Dr. Jane Goodall.

If you’re within the magnificence enterprise, it’s essential to know Madam Walker’s story—and if you happen to don’t, you need to. Born Sarah Breedlove in 1867, Walker was the daughter of fogeys who have been previously enslaved and have become sharecroppers. She’s one of many unique indies—an “OG” feminine founder within the magnificence enterprise.

Her reminiscence lives on within the magnificence trade. Sundial (a part of Unilever) touts the Madam by Madam C.J. Walker haircare collection. The model was made by way of a collaboration together with her great-great granddaughter, A’Lelia Bundles, who was concerned all through the method of making the Barbie, too.

The Society of Cosmetic Chemists (SCC) honors Walker as effectively with a scholarship that helps under-represented minority college students pursuing an undergraduate or graduate diploma in a spread of science disciplines. The scholarship, which was created in 2020, is sponsored by Mary Kay. (This yr’s winners have been introduced final month.)

“As a pioneer in entrepreneurship, philanthropy and activism, creating the blueprint for the self-made American businesswoman and innovators of the 20 th century, Madam C.J. Walker is an embodiment of our Barbie Inspiring Ladies collection,”  mentioned Lisa McKnight, EVP and world head of Barbie and dolls, at Mattel. “We’re honored to welcome her into this group of trailblazing ladies and introduce extra youngsters to her journey of turning into one of many nation’s first broadly profitable feminine founders.”  

The Madam C.J. Walker Inspiring Ladies doll will likely be offered at Amazon, Walmart and Target for about $35.

Positive, Mattel has taken some flak over time associated to Barbie and physique picture points with women. However we love that Mattel acknowledges the affect and inspiration of Walker’s story and is sharing that with a wider viewers.