Madam C.J. Walker, the first female self-made millionaire, is being honored with her own Barbie doll.
It's part of the Barbie Inspiring Women Series, which "pays tribute to incredible heroines of their time; courageous women who took risks, changed rules, and paved the way for generations of girls to dream bigger than ever before."
"Their design team graciously welcomed me throughout all steps of the process – from hair development to packaging – to capture and celebrate the legacy of this trailblazing Black businesswoman. I can’t wait for a new generation to be inspired by her story and to tell their own stories through a role model who came before them," A’Lelia Bundles, Great-Great Granddaughter and Official Biographer of Madam C.J. Walker, said in a news release.
Walker created a line of hair care products and built a factory, hair and manicure salon and second training school in Indianapolis.
The Madam C.J. Walker Barbie is holding a miniature replica of her original Wonderful Hair Grower product.
"Madam C.J. Walker’s unflinching determination and pioneering spirit not only helped revolutionize the hair care industry of the time, but broke boundaries and opened doors for the next generation of women entering business and entrepreneurship," Mattel, Barbie's parent company, wrote in a news release.
The doll was released Wednesday and was already sold out at Target and Mattel on Thursday. It is still available online through Walmart and Amazon.
Other women who have been part of the Barbie series include Helen Keller, Amelia Earhart, Rosa Parks and Dr. Jane Goodall.
-
Indy-based museums face uphill battle after federal funding cuts
Cultural institutions in Indiana are grappling with significant funding cuts that threaten their operational stability and programming.
Doulas working to decrease maternal mortality rates for minority Hoosiers
It's Black Maternal Health Week, focusing on high mortality rates for Black mothers in the U.S. A local organization is working to improve these numbers through birth workers.
New barriers and painted murals now connect Fletcher Place and Fountain Square
Walking or riding a bike in Fountain Square got a little safer on Saturday for those crossing the bridge above I-65 and I-70.
Priceless comic book art saved from Palisades Fire in exhibit at IU
A collection of rare comic book history is now on display at Indiana University. It all would have likely been destroyed in the Palisades Fire if not for this exhibit.
