Photo Courtesy Of Mattel
Mattel has honored the iconic Madam CJ Walker’s legacy with a new Barbie doll.
According to reports, Mattel debuted a Madam CJ Walker Barbie doll which officially hit their website and Target shelves nationwide on August 24. That day, the company took to its Twitter account to announce the amazing news.
“Madam C.J. Walker served as the blueprint for the self-made American businesswoman, and today her legacy lives on. @Mattel is honored to introduce this trailblazer’s story to a new generation as the latest heroine in the @Barbie Inspiring Women Series!”
They added another tweet quoting EVP and Global Head of Barbie & Dolls at Mattel, Lisa McKnight, who praised Walker for her trailblazing legacy.
“As a pioneer in entrepreneurship, philanthropy and activism, creating the blueprint for the self-made American businesswoman… Madam C.J. Walker is an embodiment of our Barbie Inspiring Women series,” Lisa McKnight, EVP and Global Head of @Barbie & Dolls, @Mattel.”
The legendary self-made millionaire rose from poverty in the south and became of the most successful women of her time. To this day, she is widely exalted for developing a revolutionary hair care line for Black women through her business, the Madam C.J. Walker Manufacturing Company. She also fiercely advocated for the advancement of African Americans and to end lynching, among other things.
Walker’s descendants have carried on her legacy over a century later, as they launched a haircare line to pay “homage to modern women of color.” The line, named MADAM by Madam C.J. Walker, is currently available for sale on its official site and via Walmart.
“This collection embodies Madam Walker’s spirit of empowerment and pays homage to modern women of color,” her great-great-granddaughter, A’Lelia Bundles said in a statement.
Walker’s new Barbie doll has been reportedy sold out since it was officially released.