Barbie's Inspiring Strength: Overcoming Limits and Exploring Countless Possibilities
by Vitória Micci
Vitória, our Young Ambassador to Brazil, writes about the influence Barbie continues to have on her dreams and aspirations, and why the iconic doll has stood the test of time as a symbol of female empowerment.
“In a world where sexism still tries to impose limitations, Barbie stands out as a constant reminder that there are no barriers to what women can achieve.”
I was born in 2007. It was a great year, Christ the Redeemer in Rio was elected one of the new seven wonders of the world, the 15th edition of the Pan American Games were held in Brazil, the first official signal transmission on Brazilian TV and if we look at it from a global lens, this was the time when social networks and the internet were about to explode and dominate all sectors of society. But for little Vitória, none of that was important, for her life was all about watching cartoons and playing. Above all, playing with Barbie, and that's what I want to talk about.
In this text you will find a mix of information and remarkable facts in the history of Barbie dolls and also in mine, especially because we both grew up together. Since her creation in 1959, Barbie has been much more than just a doll, as she has become a symbol of infinite possibilities and an inspiring role model for girls and women around the world. In a world where sexism still tries to impose limitations, Barbie stands out as a constant reminder that there are no barriers to what women can achieve. With countless professions and adventures over the decades, Barbie shows that dreams have no limits.
When Ruth Handler created Barbie, her vision was to give girls a doll that could inspire them to imagine a limitless future. Before Barbie, dolls generally only played the role of mother or housewife and had the classic baby shape. Barbie, with her first incarnation as a woman, quickly evolved to take on a variety of roles, from doctor to astronaut, president and businesswoman.
Each new Barbie career is a clear message that we can be whoever we want. In the 1960s, Barbie became an astronaut, four years before Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon. In the 80s, she was already CEO of a company, showing that girls could lead corporations at a time when few women were in leadership positions.
At first, little Vitória didn't care about the social issues involved in being a woman, she hardly knew how to identify sexist attitudes or speeches, she just really liked pink and Barbie dolls.
Over time I grew up and developed my critical thinking, my horizons expanded and some important things from early childhood began to be left behind, but not Barbie, on the contrary.
In a society where sexism is still a powerful force, Barbie stands out as a defiant figure. It breaks gender stereotypes by showing that women can have successful careers in traditionally male-dominated fields. Barbie, an engineer, scientist, airline pilot and even computer programmer, is a living example that women belong in all professional areas. By seeing these representations, girls learn from an early age that their aspirations should not be limited by gender. They can be strong, intelligent and capable in any field they choose. Furthermore, Barbie's films and series also reinforce these messages, showing her in adventures where she solves problems, leads teams and faces challenges with courage and creativity.
Representation matters, and Barbie has strived to reflect on diversity and inclusion. Brazilian girls are living proof that this initiative works and, currently, we already have five Brazilian real-life characters honored by Mattel:
The journalist Ana Paula Padrão who in 2001 inspired the creation of television news anchor Barbie.
Maya Gabeira, who broke the record for surfing the biggest wave recorded by a women, inspired a Barbie in 2019 as part of the “Inspiring Women” line. The surfer was the first Brazilian to join the line. Maya's Barbie was created to celebrate the doll's 60th birthday. That year, Mattel relaunched the professions line doll, such as astronaut, athlete, journalist and airline pilot. The company also released Barbie with different skin tones, hairstyles and body shapes.
Biomedical scientist Jaqueline Goes de Jesus also has a Barbie to call her own. This is because the scientist is part of the team that carried out the first genetic sequencing of the coronavirus in Latin America. In 2021, Goés was honored with a Barbie from the “Inspiring Women” line. In that edition, Mattel selected six women who were essential in the global fight against coronavirus.
One of the biggest names in Brazilian pop music, singer Iza also became a Barbie. In November 2022, in honor of Black Awareness Day, the singer was chosen thanks to her influence and representation, being an inspiring example for boys and girls around the world, including for the next generations.
On International Women's Day 2022, Mattel chose 12 female icons with the aim of empowering girls to become Barbies. One of them was the Brazilian Doani Emanuela Bertain, teacher and founder of the "Sala8" project. Thanks to Inspiring Girls Brazil I had the privilege of mediating a meeting between Doani and students from a municipal school. The experience was unique and demonstrated that we are on the right path! It's magical to know that Barbie Doani, much more than a teacher, is an agent of change in her community, promoting the inclusion of people who speak Brazilian sign language (Libras) and transforming the lives of students in the São Paulo state education network.
When girls see a Barbie who looks like them, connected to their dreams and aspirations, they feel more empowered to pursue those dreams. They learn that the barrier of prejudice can be overcome, and that their ambitions are valid and achievable.
In addition to professions, Barbie also highlights the importance of education. The teacher, scientist or doctor Barbie, for example, highlights that knowledge is a powerful ally to eradicate sexism. By emphasizing the importance of studying and learning, Barbie encourages girls and women to continually seek personal and professional growth.
A striking characteristic of Little Vitória and Teenager Vitória is undoubtedly our ability to dream, and Barbie taught us a fundamental lesson: believe in yourself and your dreams. Whether it's an airline pilot Barbie, who defies gravity and sexism, or a president Barbie, who governs with wisdom and compassion, all versions of Barbie reinforce the idea that women can and should dream big.
For every girl and woman, Barbie is a powerful reminder that there are no impossible dreams. Facing certain social barriers can be challenging, but with determination and inspiration, it is possible to break them down and open new paths. Barbie shows us that there are no limits to what we can accomplish when we believe in ourselves and fight for our dreams.
So look at Barbie not just as a doll, but as a symbol of empowerment. Remember that, just like her, you can be anything you want. Believe in your dreams, fight against the limitations imposed by society and show the world that you are capable of anything. After all, you have the power to transform the world around you, one dream at a time.
And so, Barbie's journey continues to inspire and motivate new generations of girls and women to never give up, to always believe in their potential and to defy any barrier that stands in their way.
Little Vitória's journey is also far from over, there is still a lot to be done to realize all our dreams and aspirations, but Teenager Vitória has remained firm in her purposes and has turned small stumbles into great stepping stones. After all, the sky isn't the limit – it's just the beginning!