In news that absolutely no one saw coming, Dame Sarah Gilbert – the Oxford professor who co-created the AtraZeneca vaccine – has had a Barbie doll made in her honour.
It appears that even the Professor herself was a little surprised by the gesture, saying she initially found it, “very strange,” before adding that hopefully it will empower young girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Women are now ‘more ambitious about their careers’ than men thanks to Covid
Dame Sarah is the Saϊd Professor of Vaccinology at the University of Oxford who co-designed the AstraZeneca/Oxford COVID-19 vaccine, which has been sent to over 170 countries.
She told the BBC, “I am passionate about inspiring the next generation of girls into STEM careers and hope that children who see my Barbie will realise how vital careers in science are to help the world around us.”
The Sarah Gilbert Barbie is one of six new dolls, which have been created to honour women working in STEM careers. The new Barbies include Dr. Audrey Sue Cruz, who fought racial discrimination during the pandemic; Dr. Kirby White, who co-founded the Gowns For Doctors initiative in Australia; and Dr. Chika Stacy Oriuwa, who advocated against systematic racismin Canada’s healthcare system.
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I hope that children who see my Barbie will realise how vital careers in science are to help the world around us
Lisa McKnight, senior vice-president and global head of Barbie and dolls at Mattel, said (via The Guardian): “Barbie recognises that all frontline workers have made tremendous sacrifices when confronting the pandemic and the challenges it heightened. To shine a light on their efforts, we are sharing their stories … to inspire the next generation to take after these heroes and give back.”
For more from Glamour UK’s Lucy Morgan, follow her on Instagram @lucyalexxandra.
