You can be anything. It’s Barbie’s slogan and an uplifting message for kids everywhere. Now six real-life women who became heroes of the pandemic have their own dolls thanks to Mattel’s #ThankYouHeroes program!
These healthcare role models inspired us with their courageous efforts during a tumultuous time. Their accomplishments saved countless lives and made a huge impact in the fight against the pandemic:
- Amy O’Sullivan, RN (United States) – Emergency Room nurse Amy O’Sullivan treated the first COVID-19 patient in Brooklyn at the Wyckoff Heights Medical Center, became ill and was intubated, then a few weeks later returned to work to continue taking care of others.
- Dr. Audrey Sue Cruz (United States) – Dr. Cruz, a frontline worker from Las Vegas, NV, during the pandemic, joined forces with other Asian-American physicians to fight racial bias and discrimination.
- Dr. Chika Stacy Oriuwa (Canada)- A psychiatry resident at the University of Toronto, Canada, Dr. Oriuwa has advocated against systemic racism in healthcare, which has been further highlighted by the pandemic.
- Professor Sarah Gilbert (United Kingdom) – As a professor of vaccinology, Professor Gilbert led the development of the University of Oxford vaccine in the U.K.
- Dr. Jaqueline Goes de Jesus (Brazil) – As a biomedical researcher, Dr. Goes is credited for leading the sequencing of the genome of a COVID-19 variant in Brazil.
- Dr. Kirby White (Australia) – A General Practitioner in Australia, Dr. White co-founded the Gowns for Doctors initiative – by developing a PPE gown that could be laundered and re-used, allowing frontline workers in Victoria, AU to continue seeing patients during the pandemic.
Mattel also announced that for each eligible doctor, nurse and paramedic doll sold at Target through August, Barbie will donate $5 to the First Responder Children’s Foundation, which benefits children of first responders. The organization plans to use the money to support the Power of Play Program, which focuses on the social, emotional and behavioral well-being of children.
Along with the current selection of medical dolls, you can also buy a new Fast Cast Clinic playset with a Barbie doctor doll and four play areas. Barbie can use an X-ray machine, check a patient on the exam table, create dough casts in the medical station and direct families to the gift shop. It’s available at retailers now for $49.99.
––Sarah Shebek
Featured image courtesy of Mattel
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