Barbie is celebrating next week’s International Women’s Day with a doll in the likeness of former U.S. first lady Eleanor Roosevelt.
Unveiled last Wednesday, the Eleanor Roosevelt Barbie is the latest addition to the doll brand’s Inspiring Women series, which pays tribute to incredible and courageous women of their time, who took risks, changed rules, and paved the way for younger generations of girls to dream bigger than ever.
An advocate for civil rights, women’s rights, and the needs of the economically disenfranchised, Roosevelt is the longest-serving first lady in U.S. history, serving from 1933 to 1945 during the four-term presidency of her husband Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Roosevelt’s hard work and dedication to humanitarian efforts redefined the role of women in politics. Unlike some first ladies before her, Roosevelt hosted her own press conferences and wrote a daily syndicated newspaper column called My Day, in which she expressed her personal opinions on various significant issues.
Following her husband’s death, Roosevelt served as chairwoman of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights and coordinated the creation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. She continued to work until her own death in 1962 at age 78.
Designed by Carlyle Nuera, the Eleanor Roosevelt Barbie features a curvy body and wears a black dress with an all-over print of pink and purple Iris flowers. Completing the doll’s outfit are a pair of black shoes, a pearl necklace, and a bowler hat.
Roosevelt joins Dr. Maya Angelou, Billie Jean King, Ella Fitzgerald, Florence Nightingale, Susan B. Anthony, Amelia Earhart, Katherine Johnson, Frida Kahlo, Rosa Parks, and Sally Ride on the list of women honored in Barbie’s Inspiring Women series.
Priced at $29.99, the Eleanor Roosevelt Barbie is now available for preorder on barbie.mattel.com with shipping slated to begin on March 22nd.