She’s a Barbie girl!
Mattel has announced that tennis legend Venus Williams will be honored with her very own Barbie doll. This initiative is part of Barbie’s 65th-anniversary celebration, which recognizes nine trailblazing women athletes from around the world with one-of-a-kind dolls made in their likeness.
Venus Williams, one of the most decorated Olympic athletes with four gold medals and the first woman in tennis to earn equal prize money at Wimbledon, has continuously shattered glass ceilings throughout her career. Now, her achievements and enduring spirit will be immortalized in a Barbie doll, inspiring young girls to pursue their dreams with passion and determination.
“Throughout my career, I’ve always been driven by the idea of shattering glass ceilings and staying true to myself, and Barbie’s mission couldn’t resonate more deeply with that ethos,” Williams shared. “I’m honored to be recognized as a sports role model and join forces with Team Barbie to continue empowering the next generation of young girls to never stop believing in their dreams.”
This celebration is more than just a tribute to Venus Williams and her fellow athletes; it is part of Barbie’s broader initiative to close the gap that often hinders girls from reaching their full potential. Through the Barbie Dream Gap Project and a partnership with VOICEINSPORT, Barbie is dedicated to leveling the playing field for girls globally, especially in sports. The initiative aims to inspire girls to stay in sports, foster self-confidence, and encourage leadership aspirations.
“Barbie is thrilled to continue the brand’s 65th-anniversary celebration by recognizing the impact of sports in fostering self-confidence, ambition, and empowerment among the next generation,” said Krista Berger, Senior Vice President of Barbie and Global Head of Dolls, Mattel. “By shining a light on these inspirational athletes and their stories, we hope to champion the belief that every young girl deserves the opportunity to pursue her passions and turn her dreams into reality.”
The impact of this initiative extends beyond the dolls themselves. Barbie Role Models like Venus Williams will participate in virtual mentoring sessions throughout the year, hosted on the VOICEINSPORT platform. These sessions aim to encourage girls to pursue their interests in sports, providing them with valuable insights and inspiration from their athletic heroes.
Stef Strack, Founder of VOICEINSPORT, emphasized the importance of visibility and mentorship for young girls in sports. “As a young girl and now a mother of a young girl in sports, unlocking access to professional athlete mentors on the VOICEINSPORT platform with Team Barbie is a dream come true,” Strack said. “We built VOICEINSPORT to bring more visibility to women athletes globally so that girls around the world would be inspired to dream big and build confidence to stay in the game.”
The Barbie brand continues to celebrate its 65th anniversary with a range of new sports doll lineups and playsets, including basketball players, boxers, tennis players, and volleyball players. These new additions are designed to encourage the next generation of empowered women to explore a future in sports through play.
As part of the celebration, Walmart, Target, and Amazon are offering exclusive Barbie-themed products and content, further amplifying the voices of these inspiring women. Target is also contributing a $65,000 donation to The Dream Gap Project, supporting girls to continue writing their legacy.
Venus Williams’ new Barbie doll is a powerful example of what can be achieved when passion meets perseverance, encouraging girls to dream big and believe in their limitless possibilities.
Cover photo: Barbie Honors Venus Williams with Her Own Doll / Credit: Mattel