Barbie Signature Inspiring Women Dr. Opal Lee

Images of Dr. Opal Lee are featured on her portrait doll's box.

Except for the drawn-on nasolabial folds (wrinkle lines), I am inspired by Mattel's inclusion of Dr. Opal Lee in the Inspiring Women Barbie series. Mattel's honor of this nonagenarian, soon-to-be centenarian, during her lifetime is to be applauded. I have already prepared an installation for the Virtual Black Doll Museum, but it will not be published until later this month. So I am sharing a few actual pictures and additional information about the doll here first.

The doll has brown painted-on nasolabial folds, a beauty mark above her upper lip, and wears black-rimmed eyeglasses.

A mature appearance was attempted by painting around the eyes, and both sides of the nose to below the corners of the mouth (nasolabial area) instead of using a dedicated head sculpt. The white paint around the eyes represents wrinkles, which is acceptable, but painting brown "smile lines" was, in my opinion, an easy way to cut costs. That step should have been omitted. We would still know who the doll represents, because the Asha face was a good choice. Other than that, because Dr. Lee is a living legacy whose tireless efforts led to the now national Juneteenth holiday, she deserves this form of recognition in her lifetime, and I am happy for her.

Some of the text from the back of the box reads as follows:

Dr. Opal Lee is casually dressed.

Young Opal Flake was twelve years old when she and her family moved into their new home in Fort Worth, Texas. Four days later, on June 19, 1939, a mob of rioters destroyed their house and set their belongings on fire. Opal understood the significance of the day; it was Juneteenth, the anniversary marking the day in 1863 when Union Soldiers arrived in Texas to announce and enforce emancipation, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. The incident would be pivotal in the tapestry of her life.

A determined Opal Lee dedicated her life to advocating for human dignity and creating awareness about the history of Juneteenth. Known as the "Grandmother of Juneteenth," she, at the age of 89, courageously walked hundreds of miles from Fort Worth, Texas to Washington, D.C. to petition lawmakers to make Juneteenth a federal holiday. Five years later, in 2001, the civil rights crusader's dream became reality when legislation was passed.

Opal Lee was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2024. Now, almost 100, she continues to walk 2.5 miles every Juneteenth in her annual Opal's Walk [to] Freedom events. Throughout her life as a teacher, counselor, and community activist, she has persistently demonstrated what's possible when one uses their voice to inspire change.

A full description of the doll, the clothing, accessories, and box details will be included in the VBDM installation. I'll add a link to the installation after it is published. In the meantime, view the following video review on Instagram by @Kendoesdolls.

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There are countless items to collect and write about. Black dolls chose me.
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