Name: Barbie Signature Inspiring Women Dr. Opal Lee
Made by and When: Mattel, 2025
Doll Designer: Carlyle Nuera
Label: Black
Face Sculpt: Asha
Body Type: Articulated curvy
SKU#: JJX60
Material: Vinyl
Height: 11-1/2 inches
Hair, Eyes, Mouth: Rooted gray hair is slightly peppered and styled in a curly ponytail with bangs, brown painted eyes, and an open smile with dark red lip color and a beauty mark (mole) above the upper lip.
Clothes: Representing Dr. Opal Lee’s annual “Opal’s Walk for Freedom,” the Opal Lee Barbie wears a royal-blue short-sleeved graphic T-shirt with an “Opal’s Walk to Freedom” graphic. The graphic features a headshot of Dr. Lee and is paired with white pants and red, white, and blue low-top sneakers. Wears black-rimmed eyeglasses.
Packaging and Accessories: Images of Dr. Lee are included on the box backdrop and on the inside right panel. Packaging includes a doll stand and a certificate of authenticity. The text on the back of the box features an image of Dr. Lee leading one of her walks to freedom and a brief bio of the remarkable soon-to-be octogenarian.
Young Opal Flake was twelve years old when she and her family moved into their new home in Fort Worth, Texas. Four days later, on June 19, 1939, a mob of rioters destroyed their house and set their belongings on fire. Opal understood the significance of the day; it was Juneteenth, the anniversary marking the day in 1863 when Union Soldiers arrived in Texas to announce and enforce emancipation, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. The incident would be pivotal in the tapestry of her life.
A determined Opal Lee dedicated her life to advocating for human dignity and creating awareness about the history of Juneteenth. Known as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth,” she, at the age of 89, courageously walked hundreds of miles from Fort Worth, Texas to Washington, D.C. to petition lawmakers to make Juneteenth a federal holiday. Five years later, in 2001, the civil rights crusader’s dream became reality when legislation was passed.
Opal Lee was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2024. Now, almost 100, she continues to walk 2.5 miles every Juneteenth in her annual Opal’s Walk [to] Freedom events. Throughout her life as a teacher, counselor, and community activist, she has persistently demonstrated what’s possible when one uses their voice to inspire change.
Other: Released in January 2026, the Opal Lee Barbie is part of Mattel’s Barbie Signature Inspiring Women series. Known as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth,” Dr. Opal Lee, a teacher, counselor, award-winning activist, and legendary leader led the charge to make Juneteenth a national holiday, which was signed into legislation by President Joe Biden in 2021.
Gallery
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