Recently, the popular toy company Mattel (the owner of one of the strongest portfolios of children’s and family entertainment franchises in the world, e.g. Barbie dolls) made a decision to honor the work of six Covid-19 frontline workers from around the world. In order to showcase the feats achieved by these six individuals, the company has designed and created six one-of-a-kind Barbie dolls that resembled each of the women.
The six dolls were modeled after Audrey Cruz (a physician from the US), Jaqueline Góes de Jesus (part of the team working on variation of SARS-CoV-2 in Latin America), Kirby White (a frontline doctor from Australia), Sarah Gilbert (a professor of vaccinology from the United Kingdom), Chika Stacy Oriuwa (a Canadian psychiatry resident), and Amy O'Sullivan (a veteran nurse from the US).
More info: mattel.com | Instagram
Recently, the popular toy company Mattel made a decision to honor the work of six Covid-19 frontline workers from around the world
Image credits: mattel
Audrey Cruz (United States) - Physician who served on the front lines in fighting the pandemic in Las Vegas.
Audrey shared a heartwarming message on her Instagram: "Here’s to breaking barriers, speaking truths, and empowering the next generation!" she wrote under the picture, revealing that she became one of Barbie's role models.
"I’m so incredibly honored to be a Barbie Role Model as part of their #ThankYouHeroes program! With this honor, I hope to shine a light on the commitment and compassion all frontline workers exhibited over the past year and a half and every single day. I hope to represent minorities in America and encourage cultural advocacy. I hope to represent working moms who are balancing their careers while raising a family. And I hope to show all young women that they can be anything they want to be—even a physician mom and engineering grad like this girl!
Kids imagine they can be anything but actually seeing that they can, and hearing the real-life stories of others, makes all the difference.
Thank you @mattel and @barbie for recognizing healthcare workers all over the world and helping to inspire the next generation with our stories. This is a dream come true!"
In order to showcase the feats achieved by these six individuals, the company has designed and created six one-of-a-kind Barbie dolls that resembled each of the women
Image credits: mattel
Jaqueline Góes de Jesus (Brazil) - Jaqueline was part of the team responsible for the first genetic sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 in Latin America.
All of the six women received a Barbie of their own for the amazing and inspiring work they have done during the pandemic
Image credits: mattel
Kirby White (Australia) - Australian doctor who developed a surgical gown for frontline workers.
Unfortunately, while these particular six Barbie dolls will not be available for purchase, the toy company did announce that they will donate $5 for every doctor, nurse or paramedic Barbie sold at Target
Image credits: mattel
Sarah Gilbert (UK) - Professor of Vaccinology at Oxford University and co-creator of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
The exclusive Barbie dolls are not only there to represent the fight of essential women during the global fight against the coronavirus
Image credits: mattel
Chika Stacy Oriuwa (Canada) - Canadian psychiatry resident at the University of Toronto who battled systemic racism in healthcare during the pandemic.
In fact, it was also a gesture meant to hopefully inspire the next generation of children, showcasing the type of careers they may not be aware of (like a vaccinologist)
Image credits: mattel
Amy O'Sullivan (United States) - A veteran nurse at Wyckoff Hospital in Brooklyn. She treated the first covid-19 patient in New York City and was named one of the 100 Most Influential People of 2020 by TIME Magazine.
In the 62-year history of Barbie, the said doll has held many jobs, therefore it's no surprise that this time, the brand has decided to support the frontline workers who are amazing role models
Image credits: mattel