Mattel Releases Opal Lee Barbie Doll Honoring 'Grandmother of Juneteenth' Activism

Mattel announced the release of the Opal Lee Barbie Inspiring Women Doll on January 22, 2026, honoring the 99-year-old activist widely recognized as the "grandmother"of Juneteenth. The doll is available for purchase at major retailers, the Mattel Shop, and Mattel Creations for $37. 80.

Opal Lee, a former teacher and community advocate from Fort Worth, Texas, has dedicated her life to raising awareness about Juneteenth, the holiday commemorating June 19, 1865, when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, learned of their freedom more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. At age 89 in 2016, Lee walked from her Fort Worth home to Washington, D. . covering 2. miles daily to symbolize the 2. -year delay in emancipation news reaching Texas. Her advocacy contributed significantly to Juneteenth becoming a federal holiday in June 2021.

The doll captures Lee at age 89, dressed in a blue Unity Unlimited Opal’s Walk for Freedom T-shirt, white pants, sneakers, and glasses, reflecting her appearance during the walk. It joins Barbie's Inspiring Women series, which features figures like Rosa Parks, Sally Ride, Jane Goodall, and Venus Williams.

In a statement, Lee expressed her enthusiasm: "It has been a joy to partner with Barbie on my Inspiring Women doll. I hope my story encourages the next generation to never underestimate the power of one voice. As I often say, one person can start a change, and that can change the world. Nathan Baynard, Mattel Inc. Vice President and Head of Barbie, stated: " lifelong commitment to community, education, and equity mirrors Barbie's mission to inspire the next generation to raise their voice, create change, and believe in their limitless potential. In an NBC News interview, Lee shared her delight, saying she did a "happy dance"upon learning of the doll.

Lee's activism stems from personal experience; in 1939, as a child, her family's Fort Worth home was destroyed in a racially motivated attack on June 19, fueling her lifelong commitment to Juneteenth education. In 2024, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her civil rights and social justice contributions. She continues hosting 2. -mile walks each Juneteenth to honor the emancipation delay.

While the event centers on Black history and civil rights, it resonates with broader intersectional communities, including LGBTQ+ individuals who advocate for equity and recognition of marginalized histories. Barbie's Inspiring Women series has previously honored diverse trailblazers, promoting stories of perseverance that inspire people across identities, including transgender people and others in the LGBTQ+ community seeking visibility and justice. Lee's message of one voice sparking change aligns with ongoing LGBTQ+ efforts to amplify individual stories for systemic progress, though no specific LGBTQ+ community responses to this doll release were documented in initial coverage. The doll's packaging is designed for display, positioning it as a meaningful educational tool for future generations.