There will officially be a Barbie made in the likeness of Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad. She announced on Monday at Glamour’s Women of the Year summit that she will be the next doll in Barbie’s “Shero” line, according to The Huffington Post. The line includes Ava DuVernay, Gabby Douglas and Misty Copeland.
“I can’t believe this is happening honestly,” Muhammad said, according to HuffPost. “It’s a pinch me moment.”
Muhammad was the first Muslim-American woman to wear a hijab while competing for the United States during the 2016 Summer Olympics. She was also the first female, Muslim-American athlete to win a medal at the Olympics, reports HuffPost. She brought home the bronze for sabre fencing.
Vice President of Global Marketing for Barbie Sejal Shah Miller said in a press release that “Barbie is celebrating Ibtihaj not only for her accolades as an Olympian, but for embracing what makes her stand out. Ibtihaj is an inspiration to countless girls who never saw themselves represented, and by honoring her story, we hope this doll reminds them that they can be and do anything,” according to HuffPost.
Barbie was a big part of Muhammad’s life growing up. She told HuffPost that her mom tried to bring dolls into the house that were only dolls of color, so she had brown Barbie dolls growing up.
“I think that was an effort made by my parents to see us reflected in the dolls we played with. It’s revolutionary to make all kids ― no matter your skin color, your gender, your ethnicity, your religious beliefs ― feel included,” she said, according to HuffPost.
The 31-year-old also said that she is very humbled to be included with the other famous women in Barbie’s Shero line, and that she feels “very proud and good about working with a brand that honors not just powerful women and women of color, but also a brand that honors women who are working to impact the global community, not just today but also in the future,” reports HuffPost.
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