Complete with a David Greybeard chimp accessory, the new Dr. Jane Goodall doll – made from ocean-bound plastic – has been released ahead of World Chimpanzee Day.
The Jane Goodall Barbie doll with David Greybeard the chimpanzee
Barbie, in partnership with the Jane Goodall Institute, is introducing a Dr. Jane Goodall doll to its Inspiring Women series. At the same time, the company is also unveiling its 2022 Barbie Career of The Year Eco-Leadership Team, which includes a Chief Sustainability Officer, Conservation Scientist, Renewable Energy Engineer and Environmental Advocate. The Inspiring Women doll and career doll set are both certified CarbonNeutral, made from recycled ocean-bound plastic and are available at mass retailers now.
Announced just ahead of World Chimpanzee Day on 14th July, the Jane Goodall Inspiring Women doll comes with a chimp accessory modelled on David Greybeard, the chimpanzee studied by scientist Dr Jane Goodall in her ground-breaking research on emotion and communication in animals. The launch also coincides with the 62-year anniversary of Jane’ss first journey to the forest of Gombe National Park in Tanzania.
“My entire career, I’ve wanted to help inspire kids to be curious and explore the world around them – just like I did when I first travelled to Tanzania 62 years ago,” said Dr. Jane Goodall. “I’m thrilled to partner with Barbie and encourage young children to learn from their environment and feel a sense that they can make a difference. Through this partnership, I hope to inspire the next generation of eco-leaders to join me in protecting our planet and remind them they can be anything, anywhere – on the field, in the lab, and at the table.”
The new doll celebrates Dr Jane Goodall DBE’s ground-breaking research and heroic achievements as a humanitarian, scientist and activist, and as founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and a UN Messenger of Peace. Jane joins a list of other incredible heroines of their time in the Inspiring Women Series including Ida B. Wells, Dr. Maya Angelou, Billie Jean King and Eleanor Roosevelt among others.
Jane Goodall pictured with new Jane Goodall Barbie doll and David Greybeard Chimpanzee accessory, part of the Inspiring Women series
“Kids need more role models like Dr. Jane Goodall, because imagining they can be anything is just the beginning – seeing it makes all the difference,” said Lisa McKnight, executive vice president and global head of Barbie and Dolls, Mattel. “We hope that this collection, and our homage to a groundbreaking pioneer for women in science and conservation, inspires kids to learn more about green careers, how they can protect the planet, and act out sustainable stories through doll play. We know that sustainability is a top concern for future generations so we are proud to unveil our first sustainable Barbie Inspiring Women and Career of the Year Eco-Leadership team dolls.”
As part of the collaboration between Barbie and the Jane Goodall Institute, the brand is also working with JGI’s global youth Roots & Shoots program to inspire curiosity about the environment in kids of all ages and teach them about their social and environmental impact. With JGI’s Roots & Shoots, Barbie is issuing a global challenge – #NaturallyCuriousJane – encouraging kids to discover the little steps they can take to create big changes, including creating a nature observation journal, community mapping and increasing local green spaces. Barbie is also highlighting Dr. Jane Goodall through a special episode of the Barbie You Can Be Anything series on the brand’s YouTube channel.
For more information on the Barbie brand’s efforts to help protect the planet, click here. To participate in the Barbie x Jane Goodall Institute Roots & Shoots challenge, click here, and for more information on Mattel’s corporate sustainability efforts, click here.
