Barbie has released their Sue Bird Role Model doll in honor of the basketball legend. Bird’s record breaking legacy that paved the way for the advancement in women’s sports along the way.
“As we continue to celebrate Barbie’s 65th anniversary and champion women with inspiring stories, the Barbie brand is proud to welcome Sue Bird into the Barbie Role Model collection, with a shared goal of inspiring the next generation to pursue their passions.” Barbie senior vice president Krista Berger said in a statement.
The Barbie will feature a “Made to Move” Sculpt to bend the elbow and knees for the basketball factor. Barbie also partnered with VOICEINSPORT, the digital platform for women’s sports.
“I was really excited when I heard,” Bird told People. “I grew up playing with Barbies, so it’s kind of a surreal moment when something like this happens.”
The Syosset, New York native attended a catholic high school known for its talented basketball team; at Christ the Kings Regional High School in 1980. Bird went on to win the New York State Championship and national title. Bird scored 1,378 career points and dished out 585 assists, including a career-best 231.She was then recruited by the University of Connecticut, The starting freshman point guard was known for her lethal three-point-shot and high free throw line average.
At UCONN, Bird also led her team to two NCAA national championships in 2000, and 2002 and had a stellar record of only losing four games. Throughout her college career, Bird racked up a plethora of awards and led the team to 39-0 in 2002.
Bird was drafted as the No.1 pick in the 2002 WNBA draft going to the Seattle Storm. When Bird was drafted, this was known as the first time a point guard was chosen as the first pick. Bird’s game immediately transferred over to the WNBA after leading the Storm in scoring in her first season, Bird was then honored with being listed on All-WNBA first team.
In 2004 the Storm went on to win the WNBA championship with Bird leading the way. The 2004 championship title was only the first of many for Sue Bird. She became the first WNBA player to receive WNBA titles in three different decades and the WNBA’s All-Time assists leader. In 2022, Sue Bird ultimately opted to retire after playing her entire 19 with the Seattle Storm in the WNBA. She also played overseas with the Russian Baseball League and won championships. Despite being the youngest person on the USA Olympic team, Bird was the starting point guard, and became a Five Time Olympic Gold Medalist.
Bird is known to advocate for LGBT + rights alongside her Fianceé Megan Rapinoe, regardless of how difficult it may be. Her endless drive and fight to support others reflects the brave person she is. Sue Bird owns a part of the Seattle Storm with former teammate Lauren Jackson, and owners Dawn Trudeau, Lisa Brummel, and Ginny Gilder. As the vice president of the WNBA players’ association; In 2020, following the police killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, Bird knew she needed to speak up for what is right.
“Our season was going to have to be played with social justice messages, on our jerseys, on the floor — forefront. And to [the league’s] credit, right from the jump, they were in,” Bird said in an interview with NPR’s Michel Martin on All Things Considered.
The WNBA dedicated the season to Breonna Taylor and the “Say Her Name” campaign. Customized shirts with the faces of the police brutality victims were often worn by players and coaches. Bird also openly speaks out for the WNBA and all of the judgment she previously faced.
“Even though we’re female athletes playing at a high level, our worlds, you know, the soccer world and the basketball world are just totally different,” Bird told CNN Sport’s Don Riddell. “And to be blunt it’s the demographic of who’s playing. Women’s soccer players generally are cute little White girls while WNBA players, we are all shapes and sizes … a lot of Black, gay, tall women … there is maybe an intimidation factor and people are quick to judge it and put it down,”
The basketball superstar has opened up so many doors for the young WNBA players who are playing and many who are yet to come. Bird is one of many role models and voices of women’s basketball with her nonstop support.
Kierra Richardson is a Journalism student at Ohio State University desiring to work in sports media.
