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.
-
'Why don't we just do it ourselves?': Athenaeum takes over gym after YMCA leaves
The YMCA shut down its Athenaeum operation on Friday after running the building's gym since 1992. The Athenaeum Foundation decided it will run the gym on its own.
Citizens Energy Group works to repair water main break
Crews from Citizens Energy Group continue to try to repair Thursday's water main break on the east side of Indianapolis. A boil water advisory is in effect until at least Saturday.
Authorities investigating shooting involving IMPD officers on southeast side
Police in Indianapolis are investigating a shooting involving IMPD officers on the southeast side of the city.
ACLU challenges Governor Braun's ban on transgender birth certificate changes
The ACLU of Indiana has filed a class action lawsuit challenging Governor Mike Braun’s recent efforts to restrict transgender Hoosiers from updating the gender markers on their birth certificates.
