LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – The doctor Dr. Las Vegas-based Audrey Cruz is one of six global frontline employees honored with a one-of-a-kind Barbie doll created in their own image as part of Mattel Inc.’s # ThankYouHeroes program.
“It’s a great honor that I never expected,” Cruz told 8 News Now.
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The program sheds light on the work of frontline workers during the pandemic.
“Barbie recognizes that all of the front line workers have made tremendous sacrifices in dealing with the pandemic and the challenges it poses,” said Lisa McKnight, senior vice president and global head of Barbie & Dolls, Mattel.
Dr. Audrey Sue Cruz (left) has teamed up with fellow Asian American doctors to tackle racial prejudice and discrimination during the pandemic. (Mattel; @ Dr.AudreyXSue)
According to Mattel, Dr. Audrey Sue Cruz, 29, a frontline worker from Las Vegas partnered with fellow Asian-American doctors to tackle racial prejudice and discrimination during the pandemic.
She received an email from Mattel and Barbie executives saying they were interested in creating a doll that looks like her.
“I thought: What ?! Me? It was unreal, ”said Cruz. “I just thought, ‘Are you sure you have the right person?”
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Mattel recognizes Cruz’s fight against COVID-19, along with six other role models from around the world who not only “showed unparalleled courage” but also “had a positive impact on their communities and inspire generations today and tomorrow.”
“I hope I can represent women of color, women in health care, women who are working mothers,” said the doctor, adding that she was honored “to be able to just represent these people and just let them know that they will be seen ”.
According to her blog, Cruz grew up in Honolulu and Las Vegas and received her bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Nevada, Reno before graduating from the University of Nevada School of Medicine with her medical degree.
The mother of a 2 year old completed her in-house specialist training at Loma Linda University Medical Center in Southern California before moving to Las Vegas.
Cruz has over 111,000 followers on her Instagram page, where she shares posts that include her love of travel, food, beauty products, and her family.
Dr. Audrey Sue Cruz from Las Vegas is honored with her very own Barbie doll
Mattel, Inc. announced that Barbie will donate $ 5 for every eligible Barbie doctor, nurse, and paramedic doll sold at Target to the First Responders Children’s Foundation (FRCF) for the benefit of first responder children.
Mattel, Inc. announced that Barbie® will donate $ 5 to the First Responders Children’s Foundation (FRCF) for every Barbie doctor, nurse, and paramedic doll sold at Target. (Frosted)
Launched in 2020, the # ThankYouHeroes program is part of Mattel’s Play it Forward platform, which focuses on using Mattel’s brands to give back to communities in times of need.
Cruz says the past year has been tough. But through her work and her Instagram page, she wants her story, and now her Barbie doll, to inspire the younger generation to dream big and achieve their goals.
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“Whatever your skin color, whatever your background, you can do it,” she encouraged.
