Barbie represents health and scientific personnel to honor their fight against the pandemic

Mattel once again says #ThankYouHeroes by supporting the First Responders Children's Foundation and honoring the world's frontline healthcare workers with unique Barbie dolls.

Barbie® will donate $5 for every Barbie medical, nurse, or paramedic doll sold* at participating Target locations during the month of August 2021.

The brand also highlights six women who are current real-life pandemic heroes and honors them with their own unique doll made in each of their likenesses.

The Barbie doll in honor of the scientist who led the development of the Oxford-Astrazeneca vaccine, British researcher Sarah Gilbert. It will soon be available in physical toy stores and online stores such as Amazon.

Professor Gilbert, of Vaccinology at the University of Oxford, initially thought the initiative was "very strange", but now she hopes it will inspire young men and women to pursue scientific disciplines.

She has indicated this in statements released by the company through a video. "I hope that girls who see my Barbie realize how vital careers in Science are to help the world," she said.

Barbie is proud to honor 6 frontline workers from around the world with #OneOfAKind dolls in their likeness. From an ER nurse to a biomedical researcher and more, these heroes continue to serve their communities, and inspire generations to follow their lead. #ThankYouHeroes

— Barbie (@Barbie) August 4, 2021 “I am passionate about inspiring the next generations of girls in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) careers and I hope that the girls who see my Barbie realize how vital they are careers in science to help the world,” said the vaccinologist. Increase Women Leading Science The Barbie brand will donate to Gilbert's chosen organization WISE, which is dedicated to promoting women in Science and Engineering with the 'My Skills, My Life' campaign. ), which works to increase the percentage of women in the UK – currently 24 per cent – who are in leadership positions in scientific disciplines.

“My dream is for my doll to show girls a profession that perhaps they were not aware of or existed, such as being a vaccinologist,” said Gilbert. Along with this scientist, Barbie has recognized five other professionals from the world of Science and Health disciplines who have worked “with courage and tenacity” in the fight against Covid since the pandemic broke out.

They are American healthcare workers Amy O'Sullivan and Audrey Cruz, Canadian doctor and activist Chika Stacy Oriuwa, Brazilian biomedical researcher Jaqueline Goes de Jesus, and Kirby White, an Australian doctor who co-created a reusable gown for staff from first line.