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.
-
City pushes Towne & Terrace demolition toward 2026 completion
The City of Indianapolis says it expects to have the entire Towne & Terrace housing complex demolished by early 2026, marking the end of a long, troubled chapter on the city’s east side.Westfield businesses struggling amid ongoing SR 32 construction
Four months into the SR 32 construction project, Westfield business owners say they are still feeling the impact of detours and road closures that have reduced traffic and, in turn, sales.Silver Alert issued for missing 17-year-old from Cass County
Lydia Barconia, a 17-year-old black female, 5 feet 1 inch tall, 110 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.Kokomo man sentenced to 42 years for criminal confinement and torture cases
Troy Wilson pleaded guilty to confining, beating and torturing victims in separate 2019 and 2020 incidents