Mattel’s latest Barbie doll in its Inspiring Women collection is a heartfelt tribute to one of America’s most inspiring unsung heroes, Opal Lee.
Lee, widely known as the “Mother of Juneteenth,” joins Mattel’s Inspiring Women collection, which celebrates her decades-long fight to make Juneteenth a national holiday and her enduring legacy as an educator, activist, and community leader.
Born in 1926 in Marshall, Texas, Lee was an educator by trade but extended her work far beyond the classroom. She frequently helped students and families secure housing, food, clothing, and medical aid, enabling children—especially Black children—to remain in school and thrive. Lee also served on the board of a local community food bank and played a key role in expanding access to food for families in need. Her commitment to addressing hunger continued with the opening of a community garden, Opal Lee’s Farm.
Now 99, Lee is being recognized for her extraordinary contributions to social justice and equality. In 2016, at the age of 89, she walked from her home in Fort Worth to Washington, D.C., to bring national attention to Juneteenth, the day commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in Texas on June 19, 1865.
Lee’s 1,400-mile walk from Fort Worth to Washington, D.C., took approximately 133 days to complete. She walked 2.5 miles per day to symbolize the 2.5 years it took for news of the Emancipation Proclamation to reach Texas.
Lee’s persistence paid off in 2021 when former President Joe Biden signed legislation establishing Juneteenth as a federal holiday. Three years later, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her significant contributions to civil rights and social justice.
The doll, designed by Carlyle Nuera, captures Lee’s likeness wearing her signature look from her annual Opal’s Walk for Freedom events: a custom T-shirt, white joggers, and sneakers that carried her many miles in pursuit of justice. The packaging includes educational material about Juneteenth and Lee’s mission, encouraging children and collectors alike to learn about the holiday’s significance and impact.
“Barbie is proud to welcome Dr. Opal Lee to the Inspiring Women Series,” says Nathan Baynard, vice president and head of Barbie at Mattel, via the brand’s official announcement. “As a trailblazing educator, activist, and pivotal leader in the movement for national Juneteenth recognition, Dr. Lee exemplifies the power of purpose in action. Her lifelong commitment to community, education, and equity mirrors Barbie’s mission to inspire the next generation to raise their voice, create change, and believe in their limitless potential.”
Lee expressed deep gratitude for the recognition, saying she hopes her Barbie continues to “encourage” younger generations.
“It has been a joy to partner with Barbie on my Inspiring Women doll,” says Lee. “I hope my story encourages the next generation to never underestimate the power of one voice. As I often say, one person can start a change, and that can change the world.”
As Lee approaches her 100th birthday, the Barbie doll tribute further cements her legacy and serves as a reminder that ordinary people, armed with extraordinary determination, can shape the course of history.
Barbie’s Inspiring Women Series honors courageous women who took risks, challenged norms, and paved the way for generations of girls to dream bigger than ever before. Others recognized in the series include Venus Williams, Anna Sui, Dr. Ellen Ochoa, Kristi Yamaguchi, Isabel Allende, Anna May Wong, Ida B. Wells, Dr. Jane Goodall, Madam C.J. Walker, Dr. Maya Angelou, Helen Keller, Eleanor Roosevelt, Billie Jean King, Ella Fitzgerald, Florence Nightingale, Susan B. Anthony, Amelia Earhart, Katherine Johnson, Rosa Parks, and Sally Ride.
The Opal Lee doll, part of Barbie’s Inspiring Women Series, is now available for purchase online at several retailers.