Barbie now wears hijab!! 

Olympic medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad has been making waves for years. In 2016, she was the first hijab-wearing Muslim woman to compete for the United States in the Olympic games - and she took home a bronze medal! 

Yesterday, at the Glamour's Woman of the Year Summit, Ibtihaj announced her very own Barbie doll, customized to look exactly like Ibtihaj, down to her athletic thighs (which she made sure the doll had) and a fierce hijab. The doll comes with a saber and has Ibtihaj's name on the back. 

Ibtihaj's doll is the latest addition to Barbie's "Sheroes" collection, which has dolls representing inspirational women (of diverse body types) who are role models for little girls.

Vice President of Global Marketing for Barbie, Sejal Shah Miller, said, “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.” Ibtihaj thanked Mattel on Twitter and Instagram, saying, "I'm proud to know that little girls everywhere can now play with a Barbie who chooses to wear hijab! This is a childhood dream come true."

 

We are one step closer to a world where girls of all shapes, sizes, backgrounds, faiths, colors, and communities feel valued, celebrated, and represented. It is so wonderful that little Muslim girls will be able to walk down the Barbie aisle and see dolls that look just like them - and it is also just important and significant for little girls to see dolls that look different as well. I don't know about you guys, but I'm buying one of these dolls for my future daughter! Thanks, Ibtihaj, and congratulations!!