The Grandmother of Juneteenth, Opal Lee, Has Been Immortalized as a Barbie.
Mattel revealed the doll as the latest addition to its Barbie Inspiring Women series.
Opal Lee, the Texas-born activist widely known as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth,” is being honored with a Barbie created in her likeness. Mattel revealed the doll as the newest addition to its Barbie Inspiring Women collection, celebrating Lee’s decades of advocacy that helped lead to Juneteenth’s recognition as a federal holiday.
The Opal Lee Barbie is dressed in a signature look inspired by her annual Opal’s Walk for Freedom, featuring a custom T-shirt, white joggers, and sneakers.
The Barbie Inspiring Women collection highlights extraordinary women whose stories are meant to inspire future generations. Lee shared that collaborating with Barbie on her doll was a meaningful and joyful experience, adding that she hopes it will remind young people of the impact a single voice can have.
“Working with Barbie on my Inspiring Women doll has been a joy,” Lee said in a statement. “I hope my journey encourages the next generation to never underestimate the power of one voice—and how it can change the world.”
Lee is widely recognized for her lifelong efforts to amplify the historical importance of June 19, 1865—the day the last enslaved people in Texas learned they were free, more than two years after the Civil War had ended. Her advocacy included annual 2.5-mile walks symbolizing the delay in freedom reaching all enslaved people. At age 89, Lee led a march from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C., drawing national attention in 2016 to the significance of Juneteenth and the ongoing fight for freedom for Black Americans. Five years later, in 2021, Juneteenth was officially recognized as a federal holiday.
Mattel announced that the Opal Lee Barbie will be available online and at major retailers. The collectible serves as a meaningful tribute to Lee’s lifelong dedication to community, education, and equality. The Barbie Inspiring Women series has previously honored trailblazers such as Venus Williams and Rosa Parks.
