Recognized As A Role Model

If you're not aware, Mattel's iconic doll Barbie is celebrating its 60th anniversary this month after it was launched on March 9, 1959. Being that I am neither a girl nor a parent, I had no clue about this fact. I discovered it today when I was in ToysRUs - yes, it's still a thing in Canada - where there was an entire aisle devoted to the blonde bombshell. What I had heard of, but hadn't really processed, was their You Can Be Anything campaign where they are featuring a vast number of female role models by whom girls should be inspired and like whom girls should aspire to be. The women chosen as the role models come from all over the world and from various jobs and industries, but all are definitely women who are exceptional in their chosen fields.

Among the many incredible women named in this role model campaign are Olympic ice dancing champion Tessa Virtue, sports journalist Melodie Robinson, conservationist Bindi Irwin, aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart, Olympic gymnastics champion Gabby Douglas, and US Open tennis champion Naomi Osaka. There are all sorts of women included in the list that range from supermodels to activists, from chefs to actresses, and from scholars to the above athletes. Mattel has done a good job in identifying some of the world's most inspiring women in this campaign, and it's one that I fully and completely support.

So why is a hockey blog talking about a toy campaign for a doll? There were no hockey players named as a role model in the initial campaign by Mattel, but it seems they're marketing to Canadian girls in the right way with an in-store video ad!

Laura Stacey is one of the selected role models that Mattel has recruited for in-store marketing, and seeing the Markham Thunder and Team Canada forward on the video screen under the huge assortment of Barbie dolls was rather cool!

For those that don't click on photos, Stacey's quotation reads,

"When we're told we can't do something or we aren't good enough, those are just words coming from someone else. They mean nothing as long as we believe in ourselves."

The caption below Stacey's quote reads,

"As a super-star athlete, Laura knows that there's no easy road to victory. She tries her best to learn from her mistakes and always keep chasing her dreams. She looks up to her mom and sister who are both driven, compassionate, and dedicated. What's next for Laura? Hopefully a few more medals and maybe an MBA!"

How cool is that? Laura Stacey is officially a Barbie ambassador and has been recognized by Mattel as a role model for young women everywhere! Now if we could just get Mattel to make up a doll in Laura's image with the appropriate Team Canada hockey jersey, all would be perfect in the toy department!

Congratulations on this incredible honour, Laura, and I'm looking forward to seeing you continue to be one of Canada's brightest stars on and off the ice for years to come!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!