Barbie designed dolls to honor the creator of the Oxford coronavirus vaccine and five other women battling the pandemic

The toy company Mattel threw a Barbie doll in tribute to Sarah Gilbert, the British scientist who led the Oxford / AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine project.

Faced with this initiative, Gilbert, who a few months ago was recognized for his service to public health and medical research by Queen Elizabeth II, expressed in a statement released by the brand that, although it is strange that there is a doll inspired by her, she hopes “it helps normalize that girls think about devoting themselves to science careers.”

From Barbie’s social media, they thanked the healthcare professionals who risk their lives to do their jobs and their fight for it. coronavirus. “In a world of the unexpected, we can never have too many heroes. To all of you who continue to keep our loved ones safe and healthy, thank you! They wrote.

Over a billion Barbies have been sold worldwide since their origin six decades ago. Over the years, the brand has diversified and made room for inclusion. They created dolls with different bodies, with different skin colors, different professions and nationalities, among other characteristics.

“Barbie is proud to honor six frontline workers from around the world with #OneOfAKind (#UniqueInYourClass) dolls in their image. From emergency nurse to biomedical researcher and more, these heroines continue to serve their communities and inspire generations to follow their example. # GraciasHeroinas “, was the statement of the doll factory.

The Oxford University professor of vaccinology was not the only winner of this collection. Five other models were also presented to recognize healthcare professionals as Amy O’Sullivan, Audrey cruz Yes Chika Stacy Oriuwa, Jaqueline Goes de Jesus, a Brazilian scientist who conducts biomedical research, and Kirby White, Australian doctor and co-creator of a reusable gown for healthcare staff.

“We are here to break down barriers, speak the truth and empower the next generation,” the doctor said. Audrey sue cruz via their social networks. Plus, she wants to show young women that “they can be anything they want, even a medical mom and an engineering graduate, like it’s a girl,” she wrote alongside. the photo she posed with her doll.

The doctor Chika Stacy Oriuwa He also showed his joy through Instagram where he commented, “It’s surreal to think that once I would play with my Barbie dolls and dress them up as doctors, poets and artists and imagine I could be these things someday, and now I am! “