Barbie Empowered Generations of Women Everywhere

There's been a lot of talk lately suggesting that Mattel roll out ethnic, chubby, handicapped Barbie dolls, with the idea that these will give girls a better sense of what it is to be a real woman. I think it's important that we remember where barbie came from and what she represents.

In 1959, Mattel founder, Ruth Handler, had the audacity to do what no one else in the toy world was doing; she would sell an adult-bodied doll for girls to play with and admire. While the rest of the dolls on the market were baby dolls, Ruth provided little girls with the chance to aspire to be more. In an age when little girls were taught to groom themselves in order to find a man to support them, Ruth was already running her own company and wanted little girls to know that they could also dream big. Over the years, Barbie took on the role of astronaut, doctor, professor, scientist, etc. Being a mom was important, but little girls were finally told they were capable of much more. They soon gave Barbie a handsome Chad husband named Ken. Ken was also a successful professional. Together, Barbie and Ken would be the attractive, well-dressed, in-shape couple to rule the world. Barbie wasn't about presenting the average version of the American woman. Just as Ken wasn't about presenting the average version of the American man. Barbie was about being something better. Little girls wanted to be the real Barbie and little boys wanted to find a real Barbie. We all wanted to be the best version of ourselves. Isn't that what America is about?

Barbie is nearly 60 years old and looks as good as ever. So let's all take a moment to recognize the greatness of Barbie and the example she set as a smart, beautiful, slender, well-dressed, confident role-model for little girls everywhere.