Dr. Opal Lee is the newest star in Barbie’s Inspiring Women collection, a tribute that celebrates her lifelong fight to make Juneteenth a national holiday.
At a Glance
- Barbie introduces a doll of Dr. Opal Lee, the activist known as the Grandmother of Juneteenth.
- The doll is part of the Barbie Inspiring Women line, honoring women who inspire future generations.
- Lee, who was born in 1926, earned a Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2024 for her work on Juneteenth.
- Why it matters: The collaboration brings a powerful civil-rights legacy into a mainstream toy line, amplifying representation and education.
Barbie’s new doll arrives amid a wave of public recognition for Dr. Opal Lee. The 99-year-old activist’s legacy has been celebrated by President Joe Biden, who officially declared Juneteenth a federal holiday in 2021.
Barbie Honors a Living Legend
Barbie’s Inspiring Women collection now includes a figure that looks exactly like Dr. Opal Lee in her signature look: a custom event T-shirt, white joggers, and sneakers. The doll was designed by Carlyle Nuera, while the packaging was created by Vicky Gevorkyan. The design team captured Lee’s poised stance and warm smile, making the toy a tangible reminder of her activism.
The announcement was made by Barbie’s social-media team, who posted a photo of the new doll alongside an Instagram caption that read, “Meet the newest member of the Inspiring Women collection.” The post quickly went viral, with fans praising the brand for its commitment to representation.
The Legacy of a Civil-Rights Champion
Lee was born in Marshall, Texas, in 1926. Her family’s home was set on fire by white rioters on Juneteenth in 1939, an event that shaped her lifelong dedication to civil-rights work.
She spent decades lobbying for Juneteenth’s recognition as a national holiday. In 2016, she trekked 1,400 miles to Washington, D.C., to plead her case before the Obama administration and Congress, stopping along the way to complete 2-and-a-half-mile walks in various cities.
In May 2024, President Biden presented Lee with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States. The same month, she received her eighth honorary doctorate: a Doctor of Humane Letters from Southern Methodist University.
Lee’s most recent public appearance was a symbolic 2-and-a-half-mile walk in 2025, which she missed due to a health scare. Despite this, her influence continues to inspire new generations.
Public Reaction and Social Media Buzz
Barbie and Dr. Opal Lee posted photos of the doll together in a joint Instagram post. The post sparked an outpouring of support:
> “I was a Barbie girl growing up, and loved the dolls and movies,” one user wrote. “It makes me so happy to see all these dolls coming out, dolls for representation, for support of movements, in support of real people – real women. It makes me happy to see.”
Another user added:
> “Thank you @barbie for seeing that representation matters and makes the world a better place!”
The comments reflect a broader cultural conversation about representation in toys and media, and how brands can honor real-life figures.
A Timeline of Milestones
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1926 | Dr. Opal Lee is born in Marshall, Texas |
| 1939 | Lee’s family home is burned by white rioters on Juneteenth |
| 2016 | Lee walks 1,400 miles to Washington, D.C. to advocate for Juneteenth |
| 2021 | President Joe Biden declares Juneteenth a federal holiday |
| May 2024 | Lee receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom and an honorary doctorate |
| 2025 | Lee is honored with a Barbie doll in the Inspiring Women collection |
Key Takeaways
- Barbie’s new doll celebrates a living civil-rights icon, bringing Juneteenth’s history into a mainstream toy line.
- Dr. Opal Lee’s activism, from her 1939 family tragedy to her 2016 march, led to a national holiday and a presidential medal.
- Social-media reactions highlight the importance of representation and the power of honoring real-world heroes.
The partnership between Barbie and Dr. Opal Lee exemplifies how commercial brands can play a role in preserving and promoting historical legacies. By turning a life-long fight into a collectible toy, Barbie is ensuring that future generations will recognize the impact of the Grandmother of Juneteenth.
