(Mattel)
Mattel has featured the iconic Ida B. Wells in their ‘Inspiring Women’ Barbie collection alongside other prominent Black women such as Rosa Parks, Ella Fitzgerald and Maya Angelou.
Wells was a groundbreaking journalist, known mostly for her fearless investigative reporting. She was also an activist; educator; civil rights leader; co-founder of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP); co-founder of the National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs in 1896; and the list goes on.
She is a global inspiration to women, especially journalists.
@TheJanelleWard posted on Twitter: “6-year-old Janelle, who reads newspapers with her parents every week, would have loved this. Makes graduating from J-school in four months all the more surreal.”
Many were elated to find out that her family had a say in the doll’s development and made sure that it embodied her as much as possible.
Michelle Duster, the great-granddaughter of Ida B Wells, also posted on Twitter.
“My brother Dan & I, great-grandchildren of #IdaBWells worked closely with @mattel to develop the Barbie doll to be as authentic & historically accurate as possible. We’re happy that so many are excited about it & hope it inspires all people to know their voices are important.”
#Barbie is proud to honor the incredible Ida B. Wells as the newest role model in our Inspiring Women series, dedicated to spotlighting heroes who paved the way for generations of girls to dream big and make a difference.” Mattel’s Barbie page said in an Instagram post.
The doll is sold at your Target or online on Amazon.com, Mattel.com and Target.com.