As written by Adlea Suliman of the Washington Post in a recent release, "Black American journalist, suffragist, and anti-lynching crusader Ida B. Wells will have her likeness transformed into a Barbie doll to honor her historic achievements."

Ida B. Wells-Barnett was a prominent Black American journalist, activist, and researcher in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. 

Her life's work included her continued battle against sexism, racism, and violence. She also used her skills as a journalist to shed light on the conditions of African Americans throughout the South.

Wells-Barnett, who was born into slavery in Mississippi in 1862 during the Civil War, went on to break boundaries as a prominent suffragist fighting to expand the right to vote.

In a biography written by Arlisha R. Norwood, Fellow of the National Women's History Museum (NWHM), “Ida B. Wells-Barnett traveled internationally, shedding light on lynching to foreign audiences. Abroad, she openly confronted white women in the suffrage movement who ignored lynching." As a result of her stance, she was often ridiculed and ostracized by women’s suffrage organizations in the United States. Despite that, Wells-Barnett remained active in the women’s rights movement.

In a recent Instagram post from the Barbie account, the doll, manufactured by Mattel, said, “Barbie is proud to honor the incredible Ida B. Wells as the newest role model in our Inspiring Women series, dedicated to spotlighting heroes who paved the way for generations of girls to dream big and make a difference.” 

Here's the full Caption from the post.

Screen grab of the caption from the Barbie Instagram post about Ida B. Wells-Barnett.

The Ida B. Wells' doll wears a long black gown, white lace collar, and black boots while clutching a copy of the “Memphis Free Speech and Headlight” newspaper, which she co-owned.

The doll will go on sale in the United States starting Monday, January 17th, coinciding with Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and is part of the “Inspiring Women” series from Barbie’s maker, Mattel. 

Other women represented in plastic include nurse Florence Nightingale, tennis star Billie Jean King, and author Maya Angelou.  

Ms. Angelou recently made history by becoming the first Black woman to appear on a U.S. quarter.

An image of the quarter was shared on the official Instagram account for Angelou with a portion of the caption stating, "We are celebrating the #MayaAngelouQuarter, the first coin featured in the American Women Quarters™ Program by the United States Mint."