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Here are the women chosen for Barbie’s newest role model dolls
It’s Women’s History Month, and to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8 and Barbie’s 65th birthday on March 9, the doll brand has announced it is adding new dolls to its Role Models collection, based on real-life singers and actresses from around the world. They’re not for sale – a one-of-a-kind doll was made for each of the honored women.
The dolls are meant to introduce “girls to remarkable women’s stories to show them you can be anything,” according to Mattel. Here are the women chosen to be the next Barbie role models.
1. Viola Davis
The American actress is a Juilliard graduate who went on to become an EGOT recipient, having earned an Oscar, Emmy, Grammy and Tony. She is known for her roles in “Fences,” “The Help” and “The Woman King.” She was also on Time’s list of most influential people in 2017. But Davis is more than just an actress.
She and her husband, Julius Tennon, founded JuVee, a production company focused on giving a “voice to the voiceless,” says Mattel.
Barbie
2. Shania Twain
The Canadian singer is a five-time Grammy winner known for hits like “You’re Still the One” and “Man! I Feel Like A Woman!” She has sold more than 100 million albums world wide, becoming the top-selling country-pop artist of all time and recently went on a high-grossing tour in 2023. She also has an upcoming residency in Las Vegas, starting in May.
Twain shared a post about her new Barbie on social media Wednesday, saying she was honored to be recognized.
“Pinch me,” she wrote. “All I’ve wanted to do my whole life is tell stories of empowerment, independence and self-expression through my songwriting, getting to do that and inspire women and girls along the way is the dream… everything else is a beautiful bonus!”
Barbie
3. Helen Mirren
The British actress is known for her performance as Queen Elizabeth II in “The Queen,” which earned her a best actress win at the 2007 Academy Awards, as well as for roles in films such as “The Madness of King George,” “Hitchcock” and “Red.”
Mirren also supports many organizations for women and children, according to Mattel.
She also holds a previous connection to Barbie, serving as the narrator in the “Barbie the Movie,” which topped the box office last year.
Ryan Schude
4. Kylie Minogue
The Australian-born singer has sold over 80 million records worldwide and has won two Grammys. Her hit 2023 song “Padam Padam“ reached No. 7 on the Billboard Hot Dance/Electronic Chart and her album “Tension” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Dance/Electronic Chart.
Her Barbie is dressed in red, paying homage to Minogue’s costumes in the “Padam Padam” music video.
“Look at Padam Barbie,” she wrote in a post debuting the doll on social media. “Baby Kylie would NOT believe this is happening right now.”
Barbie
Other Barbie role models
In addition to the four entertainers added to the Barbie Role Models line, Mattel also honored four other women from around the world: Lila Avilés, a Mexican director, producer, and screenwriter; Maira Gomez, a Brazilian content creator; Nicole Fujita, a Japanese model; and Enissa Amani, a Germany comedian.
Previous Barbies in the collection include producer Shonda Rhimes, YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki, singer Celia Cruz, skateboarder Sky Brown and tennis star Naomi Osaka.
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$100 million in federal funds released for North Carolina to rebuild roads, bridges damaged by Helene
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Transportation released $100 million in emergency funds on Saturday for North Carolina to rebuild its roads and bridges damaged by Helene.
“We are providing this initial round of funding so there’s no delay getting roads repaired and reopened, and re-establishing critical routes,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in a statement. “The Biden-Harris administration will be with North Carolina every step of the way, and today’s emergency funding to help get transportation networks back up and running safely will be followed by additional federal resources.”
The storm caused rampant flooding that has devastated several towns and killed more than 225 people – with CBS News confirming at least 114 people killed in North Carolina. There was more than 8 inches of rain across the western North Carolina mountains, with some areas seeing more than a foot.
Hundreds of roads across Western North Carolina remain closed, leading to an increase in air traffic as teams scour the region for survivors by air. Air traffic over Western North Carolina has increased by 300% due to relief efforts since the storm cleared, the Federal Aviation Administration and the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
Mudslides blocked Interstate 40 and other highways in North Carolina and about 400 roads were closed due to damage from Helene. Interstate 40 was damaged at several locations, the Department of Transportation said.
President Biden visited the Carolinas on Wednesday, surveying the flood damage by air from Greenville, South Carolina, to Asheville, North Carolina. Mr. Biden announced the federal government would cover “100%” of all debris removal and emergency protective measure costs in North Carolina for six months.
The Department of Transportation said these relief funds will allow the North Carolina Department of Transportation to act more quickly to fund eligible repairs to their damaged facilities.
Li Cohen and
contributed to this report.
CBS News
Tropical Storm Milton forms in Gulf; forecast to strengthen into hurricane headed toward Florida
Tropical Storm Milton has formed in the Gulf of Mexico and is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane headed toward Florida with possible impacts to its western coast, the National Hurricane Center said on Saturday. Maximum sustained winds are expected to be at 40 mph with higher gusts and Milton is currently moving north-northeast, NHC said in an advisory.
Milton is forecast to undergo a period of rapid intensification before it makes landfall as a Category 2 hurricane across Florida’s west coast, CBS News Miami reported.
The forecast comes a little more than a week after Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida and across the Southeast, killing more than 200 people and causing immense destruction. President Biden on Thursday took an aerial tour of Florida’s Big Bend where Helene struck as a Category 4 storm. Hundreds of people are still missing and Mr. Biden said the work to rebuild will cost “billions of dollars” as communities suffer still without power, running water and passable roads.
NOAA
Milton is forecast to move across the southwestern Gulf of Mexico through Sunday night then across the south-central Gulf on Monday and Tuesday before reaching Florida’s west coast by the middle of the week, NHC said. Heavy rain is possible in the region starting Sunday into Monday, CBS Miami reported, and more rain and heavy winds will most likely arrive on Wednesday. Hurricane and storm surge watches will most likely be required for portions of Florida starting Sunday, the National Hurricane Center said.
Along with the heavy rainfall, the hurricane center said to expect risks of flooding.
Residents in the area should ensure they have a hurricane plan in place, the National Hurricane Center said, follow the advice of local officials and check back for forecast updates.
