In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Mattel has announced two new one-of-a-kind dolls in their Role Model collection: The Cuban Queen of Salsa, the late Celia Cruz, and Dominican-American activist and author Julia Alvarez.
In an Instagram post, Mattel said that “through their legendary careers and bravery in self-expression, the late Cuban ‘Queen of Salsa,’ Celia Cruz, and Dominican-American author and activist Julia Alvarez, have continue to inspire generations of young Latinos to proudly tell their stories.”
As a stage performer, on-screen actor, and recording artist who succeeded in a male-dominated music scene, Celia Cruz is also known the “Latin Triple Threat.” Her long and storied career serves as endless inspiration for aspiring musicians, and through the Celia Cruz Foundation, her legacy continues to provide scholarships for young Latino music students as a reminder to make themselves heard.
Julia Alvarez is an award-winning Dominican-American writer, educator, and activist, whose vast body work explores multicultural themes as they relate to children and adults alike. Her For decades, she has worked to promote literacy as a tool to overcome generational poverty and remained an outspoken advocate for peace between the Dominican Republic and Haiti. The stories we tell have the power to create a more inclusive world. Barbie is proud to honor Julia
The Barbie Role Model series inspires young girls by spotlighting empowering women of the past and present.
