Mattel honors Dr. Audrey Sue Cruz, a 29 year-old Filipino-American frontline worker from Las Vegas, Nevada, by making a special edition Barbie doll in her likeness. Cruz, who also joined forces with other Asian-American physicians to fight racial bias and discrimination, is one of six female frontliners from around the world, who were recognized by the toy giant for their contributions in the fight against COVID-19.
In an Instagram post, Cruz, holding her mini-me Barbie said: “This doll is a reminder that it doesn’t matter what your skin color is, or what background you come from.” She also encouraged her followers to speak their minds, follow their dreams and make a difference, while cheering on her fellow frontliners who are continuing their fight against COVID-19.
“This is for anyone who was ever told that they couldn’t do anything. This is for all the little girls who never felt like they fit in. This is for all the working moms who bust their butts every day for the families. This is for anyone who has ever had to struggle and hustle to make a name for themselves,” Cruz said in another post.
“Barbie recognizes that all frontline workers have made tremendous sacrifices when confronting the pandemic and the challenges it heightened,” said Lisa McKnight, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Barbie & Dolls, Mattel. “To shine a light on their efforts, we are sharing their stories and leveraging Barbie’s platform to inspire the next generation to take after these heroes and give back. Our hope is to nurture and ignite the imaginations of children playing out their own storyline as heroes.”
Cruz, along with Emergency Room nurse Amy O’Sullivan (US), Dr. Chika Stacy Oriuwa (Canada), Prof. Sarah Gilbert (United Kingdom), Dr. Jaqueline Goes de Jesus (Brazil) and Dr. Kirby White (Australia) are being featured as part of Mattel’s #ThankYouHeroes program, which was created in 2020 to honor individuals who have led the fight against COVID-19.The company will also reportedly donate $5 for each eligible Barbie doctor, nurse and paramedic doll sold at Target to the First Responders Children’s Foundation (FRCF).
