Through Candid Edwards
January 23, 2026
Mattel announced that the doll is the latest addition to the Barbie Inspiring Women collection.
Opal Lee, the Texas-born activist known as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth,” will have a Barbie made in her image. Mattel has announced that the doll is the latest addition to its collection Barbie inspiring women collection. The collectible doll celebrates Lee’s decades of work leading to the recognition of Juneteenth as a federal holiday.
The Opal Lee Barbie doll is styled in a signature outfit that reflects Lee’s annual Opal’s Walk for Freedom. The outfit consists of a tailored T-shirt, white sweatpants and sneakers.
The Mattel Barbie Inspiring Women collection is a series designed to celebrate “extraordinary women who inspire future generations.”
Lee said working with Barbie on her doll was a joyful experience and hoped it would be the same encourage young people to appreciate the power of one voice.
“It was a pleasure working with Barbie on my Inspiring Women doll,” Lee said in a statement. “I hope my story encourages the next generation to never underestimate the power of one voice, and that can change the world.”
Lee is best known for her efforts to raise awareness of the historical significance of June 19, the day in 1865 when the last enslaved people in Texas were notified of their freedom. The announcement came more than two years after the end of the Civil War. Her plea included annual 2.5 mile walks to symbolize the delay reaching all enslaved people in freedom. Lee organized a march from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, DC, at the age of 89, which helped draw national attention to the celebration of freedom for all Black Americans in 2016. Five years after Lee marched on Washington, DC, Juneteenth became a national holiday in 2021.
Mattel said the Opal Lee edition will be available at major retailers and online. The collectible provides a tangible tribute that highlights Lee’s lifelong commitment to community, education and equality. The Inspiring Women series previously featured dolls celebrating figures such as Venus Williams and Rosa Parks.
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