Q: This week, Mattel announced the creation of new collectible Barbie dolls based on historical figures. One of them is the famous aviator from Atchison, Amelia Earhart. Mattel also announced new Barbie dolls that celebrate contemporary inspirational women. One of those new Barbies celebrates a woman from Lawrence. What's her name?
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A: Patty Jenkins (the director of Wonder Woman)
This week, Mattel announced the creation of three new collectible Barbie dolls based on celebrated historical figures, including aviator Amelia Earhart from Atchison. The new Barbie dolls are based on historical "Inspiring Women" and were announced as part of this week's celebration of International Women's Day (March 8). Learn more about Amelia Earhart from the Kansas Historical Society.The other two historical Barbies are Mexican artist and activist Frida Kahlo and Katherine Johnson, the NASA mathematician whose work was spotlighted in the 2016 movie "Hidden Figures."
Mattel also announced new additions to its existing "Shero" line of Barbies named for inspirational contemporary women. Those new dolls include film director and screen writer Patty Jenkins, of Lawrence, who directed the movies “Wonder Woman” (2017) and "Monster" (2003). Other dolls include Olympic snowboarder Chloe Kim and Australian wildlife conservationist Bindi Irwin.
The new Barbie dolls reportedly will be available in stores, though Mattel did not reveal a release date when it unveiled them on Tuesday. Pre-orders are being taken on the Barbie website, where each dolls costs $29.99. They come with information about the contributions the women made to the world.
Read more about this story in the Kansas City Star.
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