Dr. Jane Goodall’s lifetime of conservation achievement will be introduced to a whole new generation, as Mattel add her to the Barbie ‘Inspiring Women’ series.
Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace, is a world-renowned ethologist and activist.
Dr. Goodall is best known for groundbreaking studies of wild chimpanzees in Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania, transformative research that continues to this day as the longest running wild chimpanzee study in the world.
She is founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, a global conservation, advocacy, animal welfare, research, and youth empowerment organization, which includes her global Roots & Shoots program. Jane has worked extensively on climate action, human rights, conservation, and animal welfare issues for decades, and continues to be a central voice in the work to advance environmental progress.
Barbie’s Inspiring Women Series pays tribute to courageous women who took risks, changed rules, and paved the way for generations to dream bigger than ever before.
Dr. Jane Goodall joins a list of incredible heroines of their time including Ida B. Wells, Dr. Maya Angelou, Billie Jean King and Eleanor Roosevelt, among others.
The doll will sit alongside a Career of The Year Eco-Leadership Team, which includes dolls portraying a Chief Sustainability Officer, Conservation Scientist, Renewable Energy Engineer and Environmental Advocate.
Both the Inspiring Women doll and career doll set are certified Carbon Neutral and made from recycled ocean-bound plastic.
“We are proud to unveil our first sustainable Barbie Inspiring Women and Career of the Year Eco-Leadership team dolls, which further demonstrate our shared commitment to creating a more sustainable future,” said Lisa McKnight, Executive Vice President and Global Head of Barbie and Dolls, Mattel.
“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. We hope that this collection and homage to a groundbreaking 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.”
The launch also coincides with the 62-year anniversary of Dr. Jane Goodall’s first journey to the forest of Gombe National Park in Tanzania.
“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 traveled to Tanzania 62 years ago. 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,” said Dr. Jane Goodall.
“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.”
In celebration of Dr. Jane Goodall’s historic accomplishments as a leader in her field, Barbie is also entering a global partnership with the Jane Goodall Institute and leveraging their global youth Roots & Shoots program to inspire curiosity about the environment in kids of all ages and teach them about their social and environmental impact.
Roots & Shoots provides the resources to encourage and motivate young people to take action on issues that matter to them. The tools and support offered through the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) program empower youth in all 50 US states and 60 countries to use their voices and ideas to address the issues that matter most to them in their communities.
Through Jane’s hopeful message and the Roots & Shoots model, youth around the world are encouraged to put their ideas into action. Since 1991, millions of young changemakers have taken on the challenge of making the world a better place for people, other animals, and the environment we share.
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