Laverne Cox Makes History by Inspiring the First Trans Barbie Doll

“We couldn’t be more excited to celebrate award-winning actress, producer, writer, and LGBTQ+ rights trailblazer Laverne Cox with a doll,” Lisa McKnight, executive vice president and global head of Barbie and dolls at Mattel, said in a statement. “We are proud to highlight the importance of inclusion and acceptance at every age and to recognize Laverne’s significant impact on culture with a Tribute Collection Barbie.”

In 2018 a fan launched a petition to get Mattel to make a Laverne Cox Barbie. “Ah that’s sweet. I would love to be a Barbie doll,” Cox tweeted at the time. Four years later, that dream has been fulfilled.

In an interview with Today, Cox shared the touching story of how Barbie, specifically, became a vital part of her journey to self-acceptance. “I was telling my therapist how I was really shamed by my mother when I was a kid when I wanted to play with a Barbie doll but I was denied. And I had a lot of shame and trauma about that,” she said. “And my therapist said to me, ‘It is never too late to have a happy childhood.’ She said, ‘Go out and buy yourself a Barbie and play with her. There’s a little kid that lives inside of you. Give her space to play.’ And I did.”