DWC 100 Women: Ruth Handler, Barbie

Barbie was brought to life by a woman whose story is as inspiring as the doll itself. Ruth Handler, the visionary behind Barbie, embarked on a journey filled with creativity, challenges, and triumphs that reshaped the toy industry and left an indelible mark on the world.

Ruth Handler was born on November 4, 1916, in Denver, Colorado. From a young age, she exhibited a knack for entrepreneurship and innovation. It was this spirit that would later drive her to create one of the most beloved toys in history. Handler’s journey into the toy industry began when she and her husband, Elliot Handler, co-founded Mattel in 1945. Initially, the company focused on picture frames, but Ruth saw a bigger vision and soon began producing toys.

The idea for Barbie was sparked by Ruth's observation of her daughter Barbara playing with paper dolls. She noticed that Barbara and her friends enjoyed imagining their dolls as adults, a concept not reflected in the baby dolls that dominated the market. Ruth envisioned a doll that could inspire young girls to dream beyond traditional roles and see themselves in a variety of professions and lifestyles.

Ruth faced scepticism and resistance from male executives who doubted the viability of an adult-like doll for children. Despite the naysayers, Ruth persevered. In 1959, Barbie made her debut at the American International Toy Fair in New York City. Named after Ruth's daughter, Barbie was an instant success, captivating the hearts and minds of children and parents alike.

But the road to success was not without its bumps. Barbie faced criticism and controversy over the years, with debates about body image, diversity, and gender roles.

Ruth, however, was unwavering in her commitment to evolving Barbie to reflect changing societal norms. Under her guidance, Barbie transformed from a teenage fashion model to an astronaut, doctor, presidential candidate, and more, embodying the limitless potential she wanted young girls to see in themselves.

Ruth Handler's life took another dramatic turn in the 1970s when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. True to her resilient spirit, she faced this challenge head-on. After undergoing a mastectomy, Ruth realized the lack of realistic and comfortable prosthetic breasts available to women. This realization led her to found Nearly Me, a company that produced prosthetic breasts that offered a more natural look and feel. Once again, Ruth's innovation and determination made a profound impact, this time in the field of women's health.

Ruth Handler's legacy extends far beyond the creation of Barbie. She was a trailblazer who broke barriers in a male-dominated industry and continually sought to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Her story is one of resilience, creativity, and a relentless pursuit of making the world a better place, one doll and one innovation at a time.

Today, Barbie continues to inspire children to dream big and believe in themselves, a testament to Ruth Handler's vision and perseverance. Ruth passed away in 2002, but her legacy lives on in every Barbie doll and in the countless lives she touched through her work.

Ruth Handler once said, "We didn’t know how to run a business, but we had dreams and high hopes." It's a sentiment that encourages us all to dream big, persevere, and turn our own visions into reality.