doll: Ibtihaj Muhammad

In 2017, the makers of Barbie conducted a survey of 8,000 mothers to better understand current trends. The survey showed that 86 percent of mothers worried about what kind of role models their daughters were exposed to. In response to the survey, the company created 17 dolls of real and inspiring women. The Inspiring Women Series paid tribute to heroines who paved the way for generations of girls to dream bigger than ever before. Dolls included Nicola Adams Obe, Frida Kahlo, Amelia Earhart, Ibtihaj Muhammad, and Katherine Johnson, among others.

Ibtihaj Muhammad is an American sabre fencer and a member of the United States fencing team. She discovered fencing when she was 13 years old and has gone on to earn numerous medals and accolades for her achievements in the sport. She won a bronze medal in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro games, becoming the first female Muslim-American athlete to earn a medal. And she was the first Muslim-American woman to wear a hijab while competing.