Barbie reveals 17 new dolls based on historic and modern-day women for International Women’s Day

In honor of International Women’s Day, Barbie is honoring 17 accomplished role models from around the world with their own dolls.

The beloved brand is once again making news with new dolls that mix childhood nostalgia with modern feminism. In honor of International Women’s Day, Barbie is making new dolls to honor 17 iconic women from around the world. The women — all inspiring and iconic — range from historical to modern-day role models.

Some of the new dolls include legendary artist Frida Kahlo, Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins, mathematics expert (and the inspiration behind Hidden Figures) Katherine Johnson, female pilot Amelia Earhart, and American snowboarder Chloe Kim.

One of the best things about this collection is that it appeals to girls all around the world. Along with familiar American faces, Barbie is also releasing dolls with the likeness of several international role models. It is International Women’s Day after all!

Barbie Global Role Models include: Vicky Martin Berrocal, Xiaotong Guan, Bindi Irwin, Sara Gama, Chloe Kim, Martyna Wojciechowska, Nicola Adams OBE, Yuan Yuan Tan, Patty Jenkins, Hélène Darroze, Hui Ruoqi, and Leyla Piedayesh (PRNewsfoto/Mattel)

These dolls include conservationist Bindi Irwin, volleyball champion Hui Ruoqi, designer Leyla Piedayesh, professional golfer Lorena Ochoa, boxing champion Nicola Adams, windsurfer Çağla Kubat, world-renowned chef Hélène Darroze, journalist Martyna Wojciechowska, soccer player Sara Gama, actress and philanthropist Xiaotong Guan, prima ballerina Yuan Tan, and fashion designer Vicky Martin Berrocal.

The new line was created in collaboration with Barbie’s “Shero” program. The line already has a great mix of dolls including Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad,ballerina Misty Copeland, model Ashley Graham, and gymnast Gabby Douglas. The dolls depicting Amelia Earheart, Frida Kahlo, and Katherine Johnson are a part of Barbie’s Inspiring Women™ line.

Lisa McKnight, Senior Vice President and General Manager, put out an official statement about their decision to honor these role models.

“As a brand that inspires the limitless potential in girls, Barbie will be honoring its largest line up of role models timed to International Women’s Day because we know that you can’t be what you can’t see,” McKnight said. “Girls have always been able to play out different roles and careers with Barbie and we are thrilled to shine a light on real life role models to remind them that they can be anything.”

On social media, people shared their excitement over the news, ready to get dolls for their kids or to own a doll that inspires them (or even looks like them).

While some fans are excited to get their hands on the new Barbies, others have some problems with the line. Most noticeably, many are calling out the portrayal of Frida Kahlo.

Twitter users have pointed out Barbie Frida’s barely-there unibrow (a pretty hard-to-miss and well-known feature of Frida’s), the lack of other visible facial hair, and the fact that she’s standing upright. Frida spent years in a wheelchair due to her underdeveloped legs caused by spina bifida.

For a feminist icon who so avidly fought against Western beauty ideals, some see it as a major slap in the face for the artist to be portrayed as so, well, Barbie-like.

The collection does serve as one of the most eclectic mixes of women Barbie has put out, from roles in sports and entertainment to conservation and philanthropy. Now girls of all ages can appreciate the work and legacy of these role models.

Related Story: 5 historical women who deserve a miniseries from Netflix or Hulu

Who would you have included in this “Inspiring Women” collection?