In recent years, Mattel, the manufacturer of Barbie, has been focused on making its dolls more diverse and they just added a more inclusive Barbie to their lineup. On Monday, they announced the latest addition to their Shero collection: the first-ever hijab-wearing Barbie! The new Barbie is inspired by Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad, who became the first American to compete in the Olympics while wearing a hijab.
Muhammad shared her excitement about the honor on Twitter and said, “Thank you @Mattel for announcing me as the newest member of the @Barbie #Shero family! I’m proud to know that little girls everywhere can now play with a Barbie who chooses to wear hijab! This is a childhood dream come true.”
In a statement, Barbie’s vice president of global marketing Sejal Shah Miller said, “Ibtihaj is an inspiration to countless girls who never saw themselves represented, and by honoring her story, we hope this doll reminds them that they can be and do anything.”
The new Barbie is a part of the Shero line which launched in 2015, and already includes dolls inspired by Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas, actress Zendaya, director Ava DuVernay and ballerina Misty Copeland.
The doll will hit stores in 2018.
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