Fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad, who made history as the first-ever U.S. Olympian to compete in a hijab, will officially have a one-of-a-kind Barbie doll in her likeness. Muhammad’s doll will be the first hijab-wearing doll in Mattel’s 72 year history. The news was revealed on Monday at the 2017 Glamour Women of the Year LIVE Summit.
“When I was growing up, I didn’t have many options of dolls that looked like me,” Ibtihaj said at the summit before seeing her doll for the first time. “But today, we’re changing that.”
Muhammad is being honored as part of Mattel’s “Sheroes” collection that recognizes “female heroes who inspire girls by breaking boundaries and expanding possibilities for women everywhere.”
Former Sheroe honorees have included Gabby Douglas, Misty Copeland, and Ashley Graham, who presented Muhammad with her Barbie at the summit.
“Barbie is celebrating Ibtihaj not only for her accolades as an Olympian, but for embracing what makes her stand out,” Sejal Shah Miller, the Vice President of Marketing for Barbie, told Bustle. “Ibtihaj is an inspiration to countless girls who never saw themselves represented. By honoring her story, we hope this doll reminds them that they can be and do anything.”
Muhammad’s Barbie will be available everywhere in 2018.