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Barbie Honors Opal Lee, 'Grandmother of Juneteenth,' With Inspiring Women Doll

The tribute recognizes the 99-year-old activist whose decades of walking and advocacy helped make Juneteenth a U.S. holiday in 2021.

Dr. Opal Lee attends the National Women's History Museum Women Making History Awards at The Anthem on March 20, 2025 in Washington, D.C.
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Overview

  • Mattel revealed the figure on Jan. 22 as part of its Inspiring Women line honoring notable trailblazers.
  • The doll wears Lee's Opal's Walk for Freedom outfit—white joggers, sneakers, and a custom T-shirt.
  • Barbie and Lee shared photos in a joint Instagram post that drew celebratory comments from users.
  • Designer credits list Carlyle Nuera for the doll and Vicky Gevorkyan for the packaging.
  • Lee popularized two-and-a-half-mile walks and trekked from Fort Worth to Washington, D.C., received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2024, and missed her 2025 walk due to a health scare.