Space scientist honored by Barbie for International Women’s Day, more STEM women on list
Adorned in a dress patterned with stars and crescent moons, the latest Barbie Role Model doll is Dr. Maggie Aderin-Pocock, a space scientist and presenter of BBC’s The Sky at Night.
For International Women’s Day, Mattel is making dolls of seven women worldwide who work in STEM, to encourage young women to join the field.
“I hope my doll will remind girls that when you reach for the stars, anything is possible,” Aderin-Pocock said in a BBC interview. “These subjects are just too important to be left to the guys because through science, you can literally change the world.”
Aderin-Pocock was born in London and got her PhD in mechanical engineering at Imperial College. In an interview with Yale Center for Dyslexia Creativity, she talked about being an 8yearold who hated school after getting diagnosed with dyslexia. While she struggled with reading and writing, science intrigued her.
Since then, she has worked on the Gemini telescope in Chile, the James Webb space telescope, was honored in 2009 as member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire and recently named chancellor at University of Leicester.
Mattel aims to honor more women in STEM with dolls
According to the American Association of University Women, women make up only 28% of the STEM workforce. And by showcasing multiple successful women in STEM, Mattel hopes it will spark children’s interest.
“Barbie is dedicated to showcasing women who are role models from all backgrounds, professions, and nationalities so that girls around the world can see themselves in careers that might not always seem as accessible,” said Lisa McKnight, executive vice president and Global Head of Barbie Dolls, Mattel.
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