Today (08/03) is international Women’s Day, and Mattel, Inc. has announced that Barbie is celebrating International Women’s Day by honouring over half a dozen women worldwide who are leaders in their respective fields.
Mattel has created one-of-a-kind role model dolls made in the likeness of female role models in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM).
“Barbie knows that seeing is believing – and access to successful female role models in STEM is essential for children to build and maintain an interest in the industry.
“Women make up less than one-third of the STEM workforce, and it is proven that girls are systemically tracked away from STEM throughout their education,” said Lisa McKnight, executive vice-president, and global head of Barbie and Dolls, Mattel.
“Barbie is dedicated to showcasing women who are role models from all backgrounds, professions, and nationalities so that girls around the world can see themselves in careers that might not always seem as accessible.
“STEM is a field where women are severely underrepresented, and our hope is that honouring these seven leaders in science and technology will encourage girls to follow their passion in this field. This International Women’s Day, we are proud to continue our work in closing the Dream Gap and reminding girls of their limitless potential.”
The Barbie brand’s line-up of global female role models includes three exceptional sisters from the United States – Susan, Anne, and Janet Wojcicki, who can serve as inspiration in a variety of STEM fields for the next generation of women leaders.
The full global line-up being honoured with one-of-a-kind Barbie dolls made in their likeness includes:
¦ Susan Wojcicki (United States) – longtime YouTube CEO,
¦ Anne Wojcicki (United States) – co-founder and CEO of 23andME,
¦ Janet Wojcicki (United States) – professor in Pediatrics and Epidemiology at the University of California, San Francisco
¦ Katya Echazarreta (Mexico) – electrical engineer and science show host
¦ Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock (United Kingdom) – space scientist and science educator
¦ Prof Dr Antje Boetius (Germany) – marine researcher and microbiologist
¦ Yinuo Li (China) – co-founder of ETU Education
