Since 1959, Barbie has been a toy that is so tied to the American childhood experience that it immediately conjures images of doll houses, convertible cars, and blonde hair. Now, Black girl’s everywhere can play with the likeness of Madam C.J. Walker, the newest addition of Barbie’s Inspiring Women Series.
Mattel worked closely A’Lelia Bundles, Walker’s great-great granddaughter, to ensure authenticity.
“It was very collaborative from the very beginning,” Bundles says to PEOPLE about the doll-making process. She sent over “a lot of photographs of Madame Walker, her office, and product containers,” and many of those elements made it to the final packaging, including the accessory that comes with the doll, a miniature replica of Madam C.J. Walker’s Wonderful Hair Grower.
The doll is now available at Amazon, Target, and Walmart.
Check out Bundles’ celebration of this achievement below.
A’Lelia Perry Bundles is an American journalist, news producer and author, known for her 2001 biography of her great-great-grandmother Madam C. J. Walker
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Madam C.J. Walker (born Sarah Breedlove; December 23, 1867 – May 25, 1919) . Image, Harvard Business Review.
