Continuing with its Inspiring Women Series, Mattel introduced their newest barbie doll in the collection, Madam C.J. Walker.
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As we round out Black Business Month, Mattel celebrates America’s first self-made female billionaire, Madam C.J. Walker.
Madam C.J. Walker was known founding her own business, selling Madam Walker’s Wonderful Hair Grower, a scalp conditioning and healing formula. To keep up with product demand, she built a factory, hair and manicure salon and two training schools. Her path led her to open doors and break barriers for women generations to come to achieve successful in the business realm. She was also known for her philanthropy work. She supported the NAACP, the YWCA, the YMCA and HBCUs.
Madam C.J. Walker is an embodiment of our Barbie Inspiring Women series
-Lisa McKnight, executive vice president and global head of Barbie and dolls for Mattel
In a statement, Lisa McKnight, executive vice president and global head of Barbie and dolls for Mattel discusses the company’s decision to include Walker in the series. “We’re honored to welcome [Madam C.J. Walker] into this group of trailblazing women and introduce more kids to her journey of becoming one of the nation’s first widely-successful female founders.”
Mattel also tapped Walker’s great-great granddaughter, A’Lelia Bundles, for the creation of the doll. As the author of On Her Own Ground: The Life and Times of Madam C.J. Walker, Bundles was excited to work directly with Mattel to bring her great-great grandmother to life, from packaging to hair development. The experience of developing the barbie was special to Bundles who became a doll collector in her adulthood when she discovered Black doll artists.
Barbie’s Inspiring Women Series honors trailblazing women past and present. The series has already paid tribute to names such as Maya Angelou, Helen Keller, Eleanor Roosevelt, Billie Jean King, Ella Fitzgerald, Florence Nightingale, Susan B. Anthony and more.
The Madam C.J. Walker Barbie is available now at Walmart, Target, Amazon and Mattel Creations for about $35.