Barbie's 2023 Career of the Year collection has introduced four new dolls in the world of sports to empower young girls in the industry. Mattel's annual special release focuses on culturally relevant and aspirational roles where women are underrepresented. In 2023, women make up only 25% of U.S. college-level head coaches, and 30% of global sports participants are women. The collection aims to encourage girls to pursue sports careers and expand opportunities for them. On September 12, Mattel and Voice in Sport will host a virtual mentoring session on building a sports career. This release coincides with growing attention to women's sports and increased efforts for gender equity in sports, as demonstrated by the success of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup and the influence of women's sports on platforms like TikTok.

September 07, 2023 — Coco Ogden