Barbie Creates 1-Of-A-Kind Doll After COVID Vaccine Developer, Plus Other Heroes
Image via Barbie
Apart from welcoming more realistic and diverse body types, Barbie parent company Mattel is finally honoring real role models whose professions prove that gender isn’t a limiting factor.
This time around, Mattel has designed one-of-a-kind doll versions of six women who have moved the needle in overcoming COVID-19.
These include vaccinologist Professor Sarah Gilbert, who led the development of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine in the country; emergency room nurse Amy O’Sullivan, RN, who treated the first COVID-19 patient in Brooklyn, then fell ill and returned to care for others after recovering weeks later; and Dr Audrey Sue Cruz, a Las Vegas frontliner at the pandemic who works with other Asian-American physicians to tackle racial bias and discrimination.
In addition: Dr Chika Stacy Oriuwa, a University of Toronto psychiatry resident who has addressed systemic racism in healthcare to the public eye; biomedical researcher Dr Jaqueline Goés de Jesus, attributed for leading the sequencing of the genome of a COVID-19 variant in Brazil; and Dr Kirby White, who developed a convenient and reusable PPE gown for her fellow frontline workers in Victoria, Australia.
Image via Mattel
Professor Gilbert, a vaccine developer, expressed to The Guardian that she thought it was “very strange” there was now a Barbie doll in her likeness. However, she hopes this homage would inspire young females to go into traditionally male-dominated science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers. “My wish is that my doll will show children careers they may not be aware of, like a vaccinologist,” she added.
Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine co-developer Sarah Gilbert is honored with a Barbie doll. Gilbert's Barbie shares the scientist's long auburn hair, oversized black glasses and wears a navy blue pantsuit and white blouse https://t.co/fMICB5rcKr pic.twitter.com/2tgDNjahua
— Reuters (@Reuters) August 5, 2021
Seconding Professor Gilbert, Lisa McKnight, Mattel’s senior vice president and global head of Barbie and Dolls, detailed in a press release that the dolls would hopefully “[inspire] the next generation to take after these heroes.”
“Barbie recognizes that all frontline workers have made tremendous sacrifices when confronting the pandemic and the challenges it heightened. To shine a light on their efforts, we are sharing their stories,” she said.
Along with the one-of-a-kind figures, Barbie is also donating US$5 for every Barbie doctor, nurse, and paramedic doll purchased at Target to the First Responders Children’s Foundation (FRCF).
The company has additionally chosen this time to launch the Fast Cast Clinic playset, featuring a Barbie doctor doll, play areas depicting medical zones, and even dough to create casts and wraps.
Without further ado, meet Barbie’s new real-life heroes:
Image via Barbie
Image via Barbie
Image via Barbie
Image via Barbie
Image via Barbie
Image via Barbie
[via NPR, images via Mattel]
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