7 Black History Icons That Deserve Their Own Barbie Doll

Mattel has been doing an amazing job with its Barbie Inspiring Women Series, a line of dolls created in the likeness of iconic women throughout history. Many of their past selections happen to be some of our favorite African American icons, including Ella Fitzgerald, Rosa Parks, Maya Angelou and Ida B. Wells. Earlier this week pioneering Black entrepreneur Madam C.J. Walker was added to that list, and the doll is already sold out in many places where it retailed for $35 USD.

Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel

For young children obsessed with their Barbie dolls like many generations before them, and even adults who continue collecting as a hobby, seeing a prominent figure of color in the form of your favorite toy is a sense of feeling “seen” that can’t be summed up into one word. The rapid sales of Walker’s doll signal to the line continuing on with other trailblazing Black women, and we had a few suggestions on who could be next. There are many women to choose from who broke down barriers for our culture, and truthfully we wish all of them could get the Barbie treatment. However, let’s hope that Mattel takes our word for it and gets these seven ladies dolled up in a hurry! From the first African-American Congresswoman and a ‘fro-rocking civil rights activist, to an Amazonian fashion icon and even a pop diva the world came to know simply as The Voice, we’re sure Barbie aficionados everywhere will agree with our list. If not, let us know some of your suggestions!

Take a look below at 7 Black history icons who deserve their own Barbie doll in the foreseeable future:

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1. Shirley Chisholm

Little Black girls with political aspirations could play with and dress up the fashionable first Black woman to ever be elected into Congress.

2. Coretta Scott King

Although MLK Jr’s funeral made for a very tragic day in Black America, the dress and veil Mrs. King wore is still a burning image of strength for many in our culture.

3. Whitney Houston

Whitney wore countless gowns and glam throughout her illustrious career, but the dressed-down athletic look during her iconic Nation Anthem performance at Super Bowl XXV would be a perfect match for her official wax figure.

4. Michelle Obama (as First Lady)

Any suit Mrs. O wore during her reign as First Lady of the United States would make for a perfect-fitting doll dress.

5. Angela Davis

It’s all in the afro! Now that would be inspirational to see on a Black Barbie doll.

6. Eartha Kitt (as Catwoman)

Her feline fashion as Catwoman in the 1960s Batman TV series would make for the ultimate collectible.

7. Grace Jones

As a real-life Black Barbie, Grace Jones could have her own series of dolls with the amount of eclectic looks she’s given us throughout her career.

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