On March 3, 2009 Lincoln County West Virginia Delegate Jeff Eldridge(1) introduced legislation (House Bill 2918) calling for a ban on Barbie and other fashion dolls of the same genre.(2) This proposed legislation is based on Eldridges opinion that these dolls 'promote or influence girls to place an undue importance on physical beauty to the detriment of their intellectual and emotional development.'

It seems silly to petition such an issue while West Virginia faces much more important challenges, i.e. job loss, increased illegal substance abuse, lack of health care, poor education, etc., however, a fashion doll is not the cause of a childs intellectual and/or emotional problems. Perhaps Mr. Eldridge should press the issue of better parenting and better educational systems where a student can get one-on-one assistance instead of packing 30 children in one classroom with one teacher and no assistants.

Since Barbie has been named as Mr. Eldridges prime target in this ban, the following research should serve to prove that the doll/character could be viewed as an inspiration to young ladies rather than being detrimental to their development:

On March 9, 1959 Barbara Millicent Roberts was introduced to the world as Barbie at the American International Toy Fair in New York City, NY. Three hundred thousand Barbie dolls were sold in her first year of production. Today, placed head to toe, Barbie dolls and family members sold since then would circle the earth more than seven times!(3)

50 years and 108 careers(4) later, Barbie has represented more than 45 nationalities/ethnic backgrounds and has lent her support to several important charities and platforms including:

* Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
* American Heart Association
* Children Affected by AIDS Foundation
* International Fund for Animal Welfare
* Entertainment Industry Foundation supporting
Children in the Arts

In order to raise environmental awareness, Barbie has turned her signature pink into the 'new green' by releasing a limited edition clothing and accessories collection known as Barbie BCause. The collection features items made from re-purposed excess fabric and trimmings from Barbie fashions.

The doll has also starred in several movies all of which have 'fun, engaging storylines rich with values and lessons about friendship and family, bravery, honesty and determination.'(5)

Since the doll/character's beginning, Barbie has shown the world that a woman is more than a wife and mother, sister and friend by finding her inner "girl power" and encouraging young ladies to do the same. Proving time and time again that she is more than a pretty 'fashionista with a visa', she is a global iconic character that encourages young ladies and gentlemen to discover who they are and who they want to become through her different characters, stories, roles and representations.

Some facts about Barbie (and her character):

* Barbie Goes To College was introduced in 1964
* Summit Barbie dolls were introduced in the 1980s to commemorate the
end of the cold war between the United States and Soviet Union.
* Barbie doll represented a candidate for President in 1992 and ran
again in 2000 with a platform of opportunities for girls,
educational excellence and animal rights. She has been a
presidential candidate a total of four times.
* The military series of Barbie dolls, Army, Air Force, Navy and
Marine Corps went through approvals by the Pentagon to ensure the
most realistic costumes.
* Barbie doll represented an astronaut in 1965, 1986 and 1994.
* Freundshcafts (Friendship) Barbie was introduced in 1990 to
commemorate the tearing down of the Berlin Wall.
* Barbie dolls first pet was a horse named Dancer, she has since
had over 43 pets including cats, ponies, dogs, a parrot and a zebra.
* 90\% of U.S. girls ages 3-10 own at least one Barbie doll.
* Barbie has never been married or pregnant.
* Barbie is the No. 1 doll property in the United States and the
No. 1 worldwide property in the traditional toy industry.


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(1) http://www.legis.state.wv.us/House/members/delmemview1.cfm
(2) http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2009_SESSIONS/RS/Bills/hb2918\%20intr.htm
(3) http://www.shareholder.com/mattel/news/20020428-79160.cfm
(4) Careers represented by the Barbie character: fashion model, fashion editor, flight attendant, ballerina, registered nurse, singer, tennis pro, actress, aerobics instructor, surgeon, UNICEF Ambassador, chef, veterinarian, pediatrician, teacher, lifeguard, Police Officer, Firefighter, paleontologist, dentist, zoologist, etc. http://www.barbiemedia.com/?subcat=17
(5)http://www.barbie.com
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We, the undersigned, do not agree with House Bill 2918 and believe that the accusations made therein are false and untrue.

House Bill 2918 should not be passed or allowed to further waste the valuable time of the West Virginia Legislature, time that could be put to better use.