Laverne Cox (50), an LGBTQ+ activist, has made history by being the first transgender person to become a Barbie doll.
Lisa McKnight, Executive Vice President and Global Head of Barbie and Dolls at Mattel, spoke about how excited they were to make history.
“We are proud to highlight the importance of inclusion and acceptance at every age and to recognize Laverne’s significant impact on culture with a Tribute Collection Barbie”.
Mattel announced on Wednesday that a Tribute Collection Barbie doll would be released in honor of Cox’s 50th birthday.
Cox detailed her relationship with the Barbie brand to People Magazine.
“I begged my mother for a Barbie doll and she said no because I was assigned male at birth,”
“And when I was in my 30s, I was in therapy and telling my therapist that I was denied the opportunity to play with Barbie dolls.
And my therapist said, ‘It’s never too late to have a happy childhood, and what you should do for your inner child is go out and buy yourself a Barbie doll.’ “