As we often say, imagining that you can be anything is the beginning. Actually *seeing* that you can makes all the difference. And the Madam C.J. Walker Barbie Doll , the latest in our Inspiring Women Collection, is a powerful example of what’s possible with unflinching determination like hers. The doll would make a great gift for someone special in your life, and a terrific addition to your own collection. Head over to our online shop and get her today Madam C.J. Walker Barbie® doll is sculpted to her likeness and features articulation for endless posing possibilities and inspired displays. A new doll from Barbie’s inspiring women series honors Madam C.J. Walker, whose hair care business made her the first documented self-made female millionaire. Nuera said he made sure to capture Walker’s essence with his design by incorporating her favorite colors into the doll’s clothes, along with incorporating Walker’s hair care products. Walker’s Barbie wears a ruffled purple blouse paired with a blue full-length skirt and holds a miniature Wonderful Hair Grower accessory in her hands. Nuera said he also collaborated with members of Walker’s family during the design process. The Madam C.J. Walker doll features a rendition of the entrepreneur wearing a floral printed blouse and turquoise skirt and holding her original product, “Wonderful Hair Grower.”

If you’re familiar with our Inspiring Women Collection, you know that it pays tribute to incredible heroines of their time. If the collection is new to you, then we’re thrilled to tell you that we’re featuring courageous women who took risks and challenged the status quo with our selections. Each one has helped pave the way for generations of girls to dream bigger than ever before.This celebration of Madam C.J. Walker makes a great gift for Barbie® collectors and kids ages 6 years old and up. Includes doll stand and Certificate of Authenticity. Mattel's "Inspiring Women Series" has previously included Ida B. Wells, Ella Fitzgerald and Maya Angelou, among others. A'Lelia Bundles, Walker’s great-great-granddaughter who wrote her biography, said it's exciting to see Walker honored alongside these figures. Walker was born Sarah Breedlove in 1867 on a cotton plantation to formerly enslaved parents, who became sharecroppers, in Louisiana. By 20, she was widowed with a young daughter.

Specifically for the Madam C.J. Walker Barbie Doll, Carlyle adds, “I worked with A'Lelia to come up with a multi-dimensional color, a particular curl pattern and an era appropriate style with the twist that goes across her head like a crown.” It was a joy to work with Barbie on the design and creation of an Inspiring Women doll made in the likeness of my great-great grandmother, Madam C.J. Walker,” said Bundles in the statement.

Walker’s hair care and cosmetics products were an important part of her legacy, so representing those products was crucial as well, Bundles said. The accessory is based on the original container for the product. The Madam C.J. Walker doll dons a stylish turquoise and purple dress and comes with a “Madam C.J. Walker’s Wonderful Hair Grower” accessory.

This collectible Madam C.J. Walker Barbie® doll wears a full-length skirt and a blouse with beautiful floral print and ruffled details.

Because Walker was known for her hair care and cosmetics products, the team knew that needed to be a part of the overall presentation as well. “I wanted to capture Walker in a time in her life where she was selling her Wonderful Hair Grower, at public meetings and private home demonstrations – the true spirit of self-made,” Carlyle says. “So the doll even comes with a mini tin of her Wonderful Hair Grower!”

We’re honored to welcome her into this group of trailblazing women and introduce more kids to her journey of becoming one of the nation’s first widely successful female founders.” Walker traveled through the South and Southeast selling her hair products door-to-door, and temporarily moved her base to Pittsburgh to train "hair culturists" at Lelia College, which she founded. Inspiring Women' series: Nature science icon Jane Goodall gets special Barbie made from recycled plastics Walker was also a washerwoman for many years, Bundles said, signaling that she knew fabric and loved clothes. What's everyone talking about?: Sign up for our trending newsletter to get the latest news of the dayIt's still very special to me that Madam Walker is part of a Barbie series because I know Barbie is international and reaches millions of people," she said. "So, it just really gives her a new exposure to an entirely new generation as well as the longtime Barbie collectors who are very passionate about it."