Staff Reports
INDIANAPOLIS — Barbie has been a role model for young girls since 1959, and not just for her stunning fashion sense, but for the variety of professions she’s held over the past 61 years. Now through the spring of 2021, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis struts Barbie’s stuff with the “Barbie You Can Be Anything: The Experience.”
In this career-inspiring experience, children and their parents and grandparents can see images of the real-life women alongside the real life role model backgrounds that led them to success and the Barbie dolls that represent them. What could be more inspiring than real-life female role models such as Amelia Earhart (aviation pioneer), Katherine Johnson (NASA mathematician and physicist), Laurie Hernandez (Olympic gymnast) and the two newest doll releases: Florence Nightingale (pioneer of modern nursing) and Ella Fitzgerald (jazz singer)?
Barbie has had more than 200 jobs over the last 60 years, and this exhibit is an opportunity for children to discover her diversity as well as what role type best fits their own interests in pursuing a career.
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Barbie helps children explore careers that Barbie herself has had including surfer, rock climber, wildlife photographer, president, a pilot, film director, chef, fashion designer, artist, beekeeper, veterinarian, doctor, construction worker and archaeologist — and Barbie has an outfit for every profession.
An interactive exhibit invites visitors to have a photo taken inside a Barbie box, type in their name, and click on the career for a customized photo opp.
“Barbie You Can Be Anything™: The Experience” marks the 50th anniversary of toy manufacturer Mattel’s iconic doll.
To learn more about the exhibit, open hours and admission fees, visit childrensmuseum.org.
