The Madam C.J. Walker doll comes with a stylish turquoise and purple dress and a “Madam C.J. Walker’s Wonderful Hair Grower” accessory.
Madam C.J. Walker is the latest woman to have a Barbie doll made after her.
Walker, who is referred to as America's first documented female self-made millionaire, is well known for her entrepreneurial skills, according to NPR.
"As a pioneer in entrepreneurship, philanthropy and activism, creating the blueprint for the self-made American businesswoman and innovators of the twentieth century, Madam C.J. Walker is an embodiment of our Barbie Inspiring Women series," Lisa McKnight, executive vice president and global head of Barbie and dolls for Mattel, said in a statement, according to USA Today.
Previously included in Mattel's "Inspiring Women Series" were people like Maya Angelou, Ella Fitzgerald and Ida B. Wells. A'Lelia Bundles, Walker’s great-great-granddaughter who wrote her biography, said it's exciting to see Walker honored alongside these figures.
"It's great to have her in that company," Bundles said.
MADAM CJ WALKER: The nation's first female self-made millionaire is @Barbie newest doll.@CBS46 #HairIcon pic.twitter.com/SHRCDCnHkE
— shon gables (@shongables) August 28, 2022
The Madam C.J. Walker doll comes with a stylish turquoise and purple dress and a “Madam C.J. Walker’s Wonderful Hair Grower” accessory.
Bundles said she worked closely with Barbie designer Carlyle Nuera on skin color, hair and fashion for the doll. Walker's stationery was purple, lavender and turquoise, "so that said to me, those are her favorite colors," Bundles said.
Bundles also wanted the Walker doll to have a colorful costume because the majority of images from the early 20th century are in black and white. Walker was also a washerwoman for many years, Bundles said, adding that she loved clothes and knew extensively about fabric.
Walker was known for her hair care and cosmetics products, and so it was important for Bundles that the doll represents those products, too. The accessory that comes along with the doll is based on the original container for the product.
"We wanted to focus on the fact that she manufactured hair care products and to make to make the young people and the adults who love it think about her being a businesswoman," Bundles said.
Barbie really out here saying "we are gonna make you start collecting Barbie again"
— The Pink Haired Ranger (@beccasbwayshop) August 25, 2022
Madam CJ Walker is the next inspiring woman doll and she's BEAUTIFUL pic.twitter.com/oGSQZGk63p
Bundles then spoke about the significance of having Black representation in the toy industry and recalled her first Black doll. "It means a lot that a child can look at a doll, can have a doll that looks like them," Bundles said. "And it doesn't mean that Black children should only have Black dolls and white children should only have white dolls. ... But I like the idea of children really being able to have somebody who looks like them ... so that they know that they're part of the world."
Walker's Barbie is available for purchase on Mattel, Walmart, and Amazon for $35.
References:
https://www.npr.org/2022/08/27/1119699259/madam-c-j-walker-barbie
Cover Image Source: Twitter | @Barbie
