Source: llkley Gazette 

This international Women’s Day, the famous toy company has introduced a striking line of dolls to empower young minds and raise awareness regarding the significance of female heroes of the sports community.

Dina Asher-Smith has a Barbie doll replicated after her to celebrate sportswomen. This is path-breaking as the design values the power of representation to inspire future champions.

Barbie dolls have strongly been criticized in the past for endorsing the belief system that women are supposed to look pretty. In fact, deep insecurities root from the so-called toy that perpetuates prejudiced conceptualizations and high beauty standards. Furthermore, young girls grow up idolizing a particular archetype set for the women. This interferes when they grow up and set career goals.

Hence, by honoring Dina Asher-Smith, a black sportswoman, several stereotypes and discriminatory standards have been challenged. Young girls will have an idol to look up to.

“Shero” the newly introduced line by Barbie is an ode to the fastest sprinter in British history! She currently holds the record of winning the 100 and 200-meter races in 10.83 and 21.88 seconds, respectively!

Dina gave her thoughts on the iconic Barbie doll collection on her Instagram account.

Source: Instagram

Shero pays tribute to many other legendary female sports heroes including French soccer player Amandine Henry, Portuguese surfing champion Teresa Bonvalot, Turkish Paralympic swimmer Sümeyye Boyacı, and Ukrainian sabre fencer Olga Kharlan.

“As sportswomen continue to set new records and take center stage around the world, we are proud to honor these amazing women by amplifying their stories and achievements with dolls in their likeness. In an effort to close the Dream Gap, we have a responsibility to show girls they can be anything on and off the field, court, mat, and beyond. ” – says Lisa McKnight, Mattel’s global head of dolls, in the Company’s press release.