Jane Goodall now has her own eco-friendly Barbie doll
Renowned ethologist and conservationist Dr Jane Goodall will now have a Barbie in her likeness as part of Mattel’s Inspiring Women Series.
In a nod to Goodall’s ground-breaking environmental work, the doll will be carbon neutral and made from recycled, “ocean-bound” plastic.
“My entire career, I’ve wanted to help inspire kids to be curious and explore the world around them – just like I did when I first travelled to Tanzania 62 years ago,” Goodall, 88, said in a statement ahead of the doll’s release.
“I’m thrilled to partner with Barbie and encourage young children to learn from their environment and feel a sense that they can make a difference.
“Through this partnership, I hope to inspire the next generation of eco-leaders to join me in protecting our planet and remind them they can be anything, anywhere – on the field, in the lab, and at the table.”
The doll comes dressed in khaki shorts and a shirt, holding a notebook and binoculars, and is accompanied by a chimpanzee – the animal Goodall conducted ground-breaking research on back in the 1960s.
The launch of the Jane Goodall doll coincides with the 62nd anniversary of her first journey to the forest of Gombe National Park in Tanzania.
In a partnership with the Jane Goodall Institute, Barbie has also introduced its “2022 Career of the year Eco-Leadership Team” doll set, with a chief sustainability officer, conservation scientist, renewable energy engineer and an environmental advocate.
The doll set is designed to get children thinking about the career possibilities in sustainability and environmentalism.
“Kids need more role models like Dr. Jane Goodall, because imagining they can be anything is just the beginning – seeing it makes all the difference,” said Lisa McKnight, Executive Vice President and Global Head of Barbie and Dolls, Mattel.
“We hope that this collection and homage to a ground-breaking pioneer for women in science and conservation inspires kids to learn more about green careers, how they can protect the planet, and act out sustainable stories through doll play.”
Barbie’s Inspiring Women Series pays tribute to courageous women who took risks and changed the rules. Goodall joins a list of other women to have been honoured with a Barbie, including Ida B. Wells, Dr. Maya Angelou, Billie Jean King and Eleanor Roosevelt.