LAS VEGAS, Nevada — Mattel Inc., the company behind Barbie, honors Dr. Audrey Sue Cruz, a 29 year-old Filipino-American frontline worker from Las Vegas, Nevada, by making a special edition Barbie doll in her likeness. Cruz, who also joined forces with other Asian-American physicians to fight racial bias and discrimination, is one of six female frontliners from around the world, who were recognized by the toy giant for their contributions in the fight against COVID-19.
It was a dream come true for a Filipino-American physician in Las Vegas, Nevada to have a Barbie doll created in her image.
Thirty-one-year-old Dr. Audrey Sue Cruz was honored with her own Barbie doll as part of its #ThankYouHeroes program, where it put the spotlight on six women who are “modern real-life heroes of the pandemic.”
In a statement released by Mattel Inc. on Aug. 4, the company behind Barbie, Cruz was recognized as a frontline worker from Las Vegas during the pandemic, who joined forces with other Asian-American physicians to fight “racial bias and discrimination.”
Cruz could not help but be happy for the recognition.
“Here’s to breaking barriers, speaking truths, and empowering the next generation,” she said in an Instagram post last Aug. 4
The Filipino-American doctor added she hopes “to shine a light on the commitment and compassion all frontline workers exhibited over the past year and a half and every single day.”
“I hope to represent minorities in America and encourage cultural advocacy,” Cruz said. “I hope to represent working moms who are balancing their careers while raising a family.”
“And I hope to show all young women that they can be ANYTHING they want to be — even a physician mom and engineering grad like this girl.”
Cruz, along with Emergency Room nurse Amy O’Sullivan (US), Dr. Chika Stacy Oriuwa (Canada), Prof. Sarah Gilbert (United Kingdom), Dr. Jaqueline Goes de Jesus (Brazil) and Dr. Kirby White (Australia) are being featured as part of Mattel’s #ThankYouHeroes program, which was created in 2020 to honor individuals who have led the fight against COVID-19.The company will also reportedly donate $5 for each eligible Barbie doctor, nurse and paramedic doll sold at Target to the First Responders Children’s Foundation (FRCF).