Groundbreaking film director Ava DuVernay has been honored by Mattel’s “Sheroes” doll series with the creation of an Ava DuVernay doll to commemorate her influence and unique accomplishments. DuVernay was the first Black woman to win the Best Director Prize at the Sundance Film Festival for her film “Middle of Nowhere.” She was also the director behind the Golden Globe-winning film “Selma” chronicling Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s involvement in the civil rights protest march from Selma to Montgomery, Ala. For that film, DuVernay earned Golden Globe and Oscar nominations, making her the first Black woman to be nominated for Best Director at both award ceremonies.
Indiewire reported, “[Mattel] revealed today that the company is honoring six ‘Sheroes’—women heroes who inspire girls by breaking boundaries and expanding possibilities for women everywhere.
“These women are being honored by Mattel’s Barbie doll at the Variety Power of Women Luncheon in New York City with a one-of-a-kind doll created in their likeness, each made to encourage girls to dream and imagine themselves as everything from a mermaid to a movie star, a fairy to a filmmaker, and a princess to a president.”
The six women who have been honored with the dolls mirroring their likeness are DuVernay, Emmy Rossum, Eva Chen, Kristin Chenoweth, Sydney “Mayhem” Keiser and country star Trisha Yearwood.
“Barbie has always represented that girls have choices, and this spring we are proud to honor six ‘Sheroes,’ who, through their trade and philanthropic efforts, are an inspiration to girls,” said Barbie General Manager Evelyn Mazzocco in a recent press release. “Started by a female entrepreneur and mother, this brand has a responsibility to continue to honor and encourage powerful female role models who are leaving a legacy for the next generation of glass ceiling breakers.”
April 27 is National Shero Day.