Renowned primatologist, anthropologist and conservation icon Dr. Jane Goodall was recently honored with her very own recycled Barbie doll. Made of 75% recycled ocean-bound plastic, the doll will serve as an inspiration to young children everywhere who have dreams of advocating for the environment and fighting for conservation of the natural world.
Jane Goodall Barbie Doll Honors the Conservation Icon’s Work
Part of Mattel’s Inspirational Women Series, the doll shows a young Jane Goodall wearing safari khakis, a watch, binoculars and holding a notebook. It even comes complete with a mini David Greybeard, who was the first chimpanzee to put his trust in Goodall while she was conducting research at Gombe National Park in the region that is now Tanzania, Africa.
As a nod to the incredible contributions Goodall has made to her field, the doll was unveiled on the 62nd anniversary of her first-ever trip to the forest of Gombe National Park.
“Since Dr. Jane Goodall’s historic journey to Tanzania at age 26 to study chimpanzees in their natural habitat, she has paved the way for generations of future humanitarian leaders to forge their own path. Her life-long work as a renowned ethologist, conservationist, and animal advocate, has been a tour de force of compassion and a benefit to our entire planet. In partnership with the @JaneGoodallInst, #Barbie is proud to introduce Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, and UN Messenger of Peace, as the newest honoree in our Inspiring Women series – and the first doll in the collection made from recycled ocean-bound plastic,” a recent Instagram post on the Jane Goodall Institute’s profile reads.
The World’s Foremost Expert on Chimpanzees
Now 88 years old, Goodall has become well-known as the world’s foremost expert on chimpanzees. Since the young age of 26, Goodall has been traveling around the world, conducting research, advocating for environmental conservation, and recently, speaking out about the need for urgent action against climate change.
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“When I heard that Jane Barbie doll, was going to be made, I was really happy because actually, I’d been suggesting it for a long time,” Goodall told the Associated Press. “Girls don’t want just to be film stars and things like that; but many of them, like me, want to be out in nature studying animals.”
Jane Goodall Barbie Doll Will Inspire a Generation of Young Kids
The doll created in her image will no doubt inspire a generation of young children to pursue a career in environmentalism, conservation and sustainability.
“Any child who wants to help, and wants to help save the planet and help animals and help people and help the environment, should join a youth group that is working to do just those things,” Goodall said to the Associated Press.
Learn more or purchase the Dr. Jane Goodall Barbie doll at shop.janegoodall.org.
Lead image credit: Jane Goodall holding the Barbie modelled after her.
