By: Erica M. Ponder
Gabby Douglas has joined the ranks of Ava DuVernay and Misty Copeland on toy store shelves across the nation as she was granted her very own Barbie in her image.
The recently-introduced Barbie is making us scream “Black Girls Rock!” once again with so much pride.
Douglas has received two gold medals at the World Championships, and is also the first African-American gymnast in Olympic history to become the Individual All-Around Champion, as if she couldn’t get any greater. She is also joining the U.S. gymnastics team in Rio this year, despite a few trials here and there on the mat.
It is no surprise that Mattel wants to recognize her amongst other legends and add her to a list of women who have showed little girls all over the world that they can accomplish anything. Can we say fantastic?!?
According to NBC News, Douglas told Barbie, “It’s such an honor to have a Barbie doll made after my own likeness. I don’t know, I’m just speechless. I’m still trying to process this.”
Even though Gabby was “speechless” about this worthy honor, she advised her fans to, “love yourself, embrace yourself and go after what you want,” in a video displayed on the Barbie website. Douglas also told People Magazine, “My older sister and I used to play with Barbies and create these dramatic fantasy stories, so it’s such a huge honor.”
The doll comes with a American-glam inspired leotard inspired by her line for GK Sportswear.
Douglas even took to Twitter about her excitement for her new Barbie.
Excited to debut my @Barbie Shero doll! Let’s continue to break barriers&dream big,Girls! #YouCanBeAnything #Shero pic.twitter.com/DDThc6okvb
— Gabrielle Douglas (@gabrielledoug) July 11, 2016
