The world's favourite doll continues to become more progressive. Earlier this week, it was announced that Barbie has launched its first transgender doll, made in the image of Orange Is the New Black actress Laverne Cox in the hopes of highlighting "acceptance at every age."
"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," Mattel's executive vice president and global head of Barbie and dolls Lisa McKnight said, adding that the brand "couldn't be more excited" about adding a new doll to its roster.
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Throughout her career, Cox has received five Emmy nominations as both an actor and producer and has made a name for herself as "one of the most high-profile transgender stars in the U.S.," as the Telegraph notes.
"What excites me most about her being out in the world is that trans young people can see her and maybe get to purchase her and play with her, and know that there's a Barbie made by Mattel, for the first time, in the likeness of a trans person," Cox shared.
In an interview with PEOPLE, the Netflix star revealed that she wanted to play with dolls for much of her childhood, but wasn't allowed. "I begged my mother for a Barbie doll and she said no because I was assigned male at birth."
