Part 5/11:
Cody acknowledged that attempts to redefine Barbie as a feminist icon—emphasizing independence and empowerment—have been ongoing since the doll’s inception. Since her debut in the 1950s, Barbie has embodied a “girl boss” ethos—featuring careers like astronaut, president, and scientist long before modern feminism popularized these ideals.
She emphasizes that the challenge isn’t adding a “twist” to Barbie but recognizing that the doll has embodied feminist principles since the beginning. She critiques the modern push to artificially complicate Barbie’s narrative, arguing:
“Barbie was kind of like the first girl boss. She’s always been about that, and there’s no need to reinvent her story.”