The Barbie Doll was invented by a woman named Ruth Handler in 1959. She named the doll after her young daughter, Barbara. The very first Barbie doll was not only available as a blonde, she could also by purchased as a brunette, and her clothes were designed by a woman named Charlotte Johnson.
When I was a kid, I wasn't a huge Barbie doll fan. I preferred the soft feel of my cuddly, stuffed animals. But when I was twelve, I suddenly wanted Barbie dolls at a time when most girls are about to give them up. Maybe I was aware of my teen years approaching and was trying to cling onto the last vestiges of childhood?
The Barbies I had were the typical ones everybody is familiar with - blonde hair, long legs, and the world's tiniest waist. These attributes unfortunately reduced Barbie to not much more than an impossibly-proportioned fashion model. But as an adult shopping for dolls with my daughter, I discovered the "I Can Be" Barbie dolls where Barbie now had a serious profession, such as being a doctor, engineer, or veterinarian. Plus, while doing research for this blog entry, I was surprised to learn that these "I Can Be" Barbie dolls were not even the first Barbies to have admirable careers. As far back as 1965, one Barbie doll was working as an astronaut! Apparently, Barbie was meant to be more than just a sex symbol who dated Ken.
Below is my Curvy Barbie Doll. I put shorts on her.
In March 2018, just in time for International Women's Day, Mattel released their "Role Model" Barbie dolls. There was as Amelia Earhart Barbie patterned after the famous aviator and a Patti Jenkins Barbie made in honor of the director of the Wonder Woman movies. During the Covid pandemic of 2020, essential worker Barbies were created to pay homage to the nurses, doctors, and paramedics working on the hospitals' front lines. As part of their "Thank You Heroes" program, Mattel donated $5 from each doll sold to a foundation set up to help the children of these first responders.
A few weeks ago, my teenage daughter and I had dinner at the Malibu Barbie Cafe in downtown Manhattan. As we entered, I saw women and girls of all ages. Nearly all of us wore something pink or with the Barbie logo on it. A few different groups of women in their twenties wore hot pink dresses and floor length gowns made of silk or satin. Later, while eating dinner, I spotted a small group of moms and daughters entering the dining area, and one of the little girls wore a crown that said "Birthday Princess." It warmed my heart to see so many women and girls decked out in pink and tiaras to commemorate the upcoming movie. I realized that Barbie is something that unites us not only as we are now but also as the girls we once were. The celebration of Barbie is something particularly for us.
Today, Barbie dolls represent women of all races and body types. My favorite Barbie doll is my Curvy Barbie. She has realistic body proportions, and I say it's about time. The only Barbie doll missing now is "Mature Woman Barbie." But she won't be Barbie's grandmother. Instead, she will be a realistic Barbie who represents women in their forties and beyond. Her face will have laugh lines and her hair a few gray streaks. But best of all, she'll be a wiser, bolder, Barbie who will never be afraid to speak her mind no matter how unconventional her opinion may be!
