Meet Barbie’s Role Models from China

Just ahead of International Women’s Day, American toy company Mattel has released a new line of Barbie Role Models featuring a diverse lineup of artists, athletes, activists, and entrepreneurs from around the world.

CNN reports:

The new dolls came after Mattel, maker of Barbie, conducted a survey of 8,000 mothers around the globe and found that 86% are worried about the kind of role models their daughters are exposed to.

“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,” wrote Lisa McKnight, senior vice president and general manager of Barbie, in a news release.

With 86% of US moms worried about the type of role models their daughters are exposed to, we are committed to shining a light on empowering female role models in an effort to inspire more girls.

Join us by sharing your role models using #MoreRoleModels. #IWD2018 pic.twitter.com/FnEuBsDh23

— Barbie (@Barbie) March 6, 2018

Of the 19 role models, 3 are from China: Olympic gold medalist Hui Ruoqi, actress and environmental activist Guan Xiaotong, and Yuanyuan Tan, prima ballerina of the San Francisco Ballet.

Learn a bit more about each in the screenshots below, and explore the rest fo the Role Models over at Barbie’s post on the new line.

Cover image: Health.com