Ida B. Wells Is the Latest Black Historical ICON Honored with Barbie Doll
Ida B. Wells an American hero was a Black journalist, suffragist, and anti-lynching crusader, she will be immortalized by Barbie.
The new Barbie is part of the “Inspiring Women” series, the Wells doll features the journalist in a 1800’s-style high neck black dress, clutching a copy of the Memphis Free Speech and Headlight newspaper, which she owned.
Wells was born into slavery in Mississippi in 1862 during the Civil War, she broke boundaries as a prominent suffragist fighting to expand the right to vote. She was actively involved in exposing racism in the US, writing about race and politics in the South.
In 1892, after multiple of her friends were lynched she became active in the anti-lynching campaign. She risked her life by writing articles and denouncing lynchings and traveled the South gathering information on other lynchings according to the National Park Service.
“I felt that one had better die fighting against injustice than to die like a dog or a rat in a trap. I had already determined to sell my life as dearly as possible if attacked. I felt if I could take one lyncher with me, this would even up the score a little bit,” Wells wrote in her memoir.
The doll will be available to purchase in the United States starting Monday, Coinciding with Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
“Barbie is proud to honor the incredible Ida B. Wells as the newest role model in our Inspiring Women series, dedicated to spotlighting heroes who paved the way for generations of girls to dream big and make a difference,” Barbie said in an Instagram post.
