Maggie Aderin-Pocock gets a Barbie Role Model doll
The newest Barbie role model doll is Dr. Maggie Aderin-Pocock, space scientist and presenter of BBC show The Sky at Night, adorned in a dress patterned with stars and crescents.
For International Women’s Day, Mattel is making dolls of seven women working in STEM around the world to encourage young women to join the field.
“I hope my doll will remind girls that anything is possible when you reach for the stars,” Aderin-Pocock said in a BBC interview. “These issues are just too important to leave to the boys because you can literally change the world through science.”
Aderin-Pocock was born in London and received his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Imperial College. In an interview with the Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity, she spoke about being an 8-year-old who hated school after being diagnosed with dyslexia. While she struggled with reading and writing, she was fascinated by science.
She has since worked on the Gemini telescope in Chile, the James Webb Space Telescope, was awarded a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in 2009 and was recently appointed Chancellor of the University of Leicester.
Mattel wants to honor more women in STEM with dolls
According to the American Association of University Women, women make up only 28% of the STEM workforce. And by featuring several successful women in STEM, Mattel hopes to spark children’s interest.
“Barbie is dedicated to showcasing women who are role models from all backgrounds, occupations and nationalities so girls around the world can see themselves in careers that don’t always seem so accessible,” said Lisa McKnight, executive vice president and global head of Barbie & Dolls, Mattel.
The following women from around the world are on the list:
- Susan Wojcicki, former CEO of YouTube, USA
- Anne Wojcicki, Co-Founder and CEO of 23andME, USA
- Janet Wojcicki, Professor of Pediatrics and Epidemiology at the University of California, San Francisco, USA
- Katya Echazarreta, Electrical Engineer and Science Presenter, Mexico
- Prof. Dr. Antje Boetius, marine researcher and microbiologist, Germany
- Yinuo Li, co-founder of ETU Education, China
All women are featured in a special episode of the Barbie digital series You Can Be Anything, which includes interviews with female role models.
