Barbie honored world-renowned tennis player Venus Williams with a doll created in her image to celebrate female athletes.
Mattel highlighted nine female athletes for Barbie’s 65th anniversary as role models for young women interested in sports. William’s doll reflects the tennis player on the court with a Wimbledon racket in hand and an all-white tennis outfit.
“Throughout my career, I’ve always been driven by the idea of shattering glass ceilings and staying true to myself, and Barbie’s mission couldn’t resonate more deeply with that ethos,” Williams said.
The special edition dolls are part of Barbie’s VOICEINSPORT initative. According to the company’s press release, the collaboration supports female athletes through mentorship, educational content and expert services. Soccer player Christine Sinclair, football player Mary Flower, boxer Estelle Mossely and gymnast Alexa Moreno also join Williams in the recognition. Para-triathlon athlete Susana Rodriguez, gymnast Rebeca Andrade, swimmer Federica Pellegrini and track and field sprinter Ewa Swoboda are also included.
William’s Barbie joins the list of other influential Black women honored with dolls created to celebrate their talents and contributions to society.
Issa Rae
The actress, writer and producer introduced fans to her Barbie doll inspired by her role as “President Barbie” from the Margot Robbie-produced and led 2023 film “Barbie.”
Naomi Osaka
The tennis player’s doll was created in 2021 for the Barbie Role Model edition. Naomi Osaka is a four-time Grand Slam singles champion who made history in 2018 as the first Japanese player to win a major title in a singles match.
Yara Shahidi
In 2019, Mattel honored the actress and activist for encouraging young people to vote in presidential and local elections.
Laverne Cox
Barbie honored the actress with a doll for being the first transgender actress to star in a major television role as Sophia Burset in Netflix’s “Orange Is The New Black.”
Zendaya
Barbie chose to honor the actress in 2015 after she was mocked by Giuliana Rancic for wearing faux locs on the Oscars red carpet.
Gabby Douglas
As the first Black female gymnast to win a gold medal for an all-around event, Barbie highlighted her achievement by creating a doll after the athlete for their “Shero” collection.
Misty Copeland
The ballerina made history as the first Black woman to be in the American Ballet Theatre principal. She introduced her doll to the world in 2016.
Tina Turner
To celebrate the music career of the “Queen of Rock n’ Roll,” Barbie released a figure of the artist in 2022 to commemorate the success of “What’s Love Got To Do With It.”
Ella Fitzgerald
As part of the “Inspiring Women” collection, Barbie honored Fitzgerald’s legacy by mirroring the jazz singer performing onstage.
Ida B. Wells
Ida B. Wells was another influential Black woman featured in the “Inspiring Women” collection for her civil rights and women’s suffrage efforts.
Rosa Parks
Barbie unveiled a doll for Rosa Parks for her role in the civil rights movement and advancing the lives of people of color.
Bessie Coleman
Barbie recognized Bessie Coleman in 2023 as the first Black and Native American woman to earn a pilot’s license in the United States.
Madame C.J. Walker
In 2022, Madame C.J. Walker received a Barbie doll as the first self-made Black female millionaire in the hair industry.
Ibtihaj Muhammad
Ibtihaj Muhammad was the first Muslim American to wear a hijab to the 2016 Olympics. This move inspired Mattel to recreate a Barbie that mirrored her.
Maya Angelou
The poet and civil rights activist joined the “Inspiring Women” series with a Barbie made in her image in 2021.
Diana Ross
Fashion designer Bob Mackie created this limited edition Barbie. He dressed the doll in an all-white gown, adorned with silver rhinestone detailing at the waist and on the sleeves.
Katherine Johnson
As another addition to Barbie’s “Inspiring Women” collection, Mattel recognized the NASA mathematician and physicist for her life’s work of calculating the figures behind the first American-manned trip to space.