Rosa Parks and Sally Ride are no strangers to young women who are inspired by women and racial equality. Therefore, it is fitting for both women to be represented within a mega force in the life of girls growing up all around the world.
Both Barbies debuted on Women’s Equality Day.
“Women’s Equality Day celebrates the hard-won achievement of women’s suffrage and pays tribute to the trailblazers who paved the way for future generations,” the Mattel spokesperson said.
Rosa Parks was an American activist known as the Mother of the Modern Civil Rights Movement and Sally Ride was the first American woman — and youngest American — to fly in space.
Each doll comes with educational material about each woman’s contributions to society, authentic clothing and unique accessories.
“Both Sally Ride and Rosa Parks made the world better for future generations of girls,” a Mattel spokesperson told CNN. “By celebrating their achievements with dolls made in their likeness, we hope girls will be inspired to pursue their dreams.”
According to Mattel, research has shown that starting at the age of five, many girls are less likely than boys to view their own gender as smart and begin to lose confidence in their own competence — this is coined the “Dream Gap.” Showing girls more role models, historical and present, and telling their stories can help close that gap.
