The American Woman “Woman of the 12 months” doll for 2023 is right here, and, no shock, she’s making firm historical past once more. Kavi, brief for Kavika, is the primary South Asian doll to carry the New 12 months highlight.
For greater than a decade, the restricted version, annual releases have acted as a markedly fashionable line of American Woman dolls supposed to embody the present particular pursuits, social points, and identities of kids. Following final yr’s unveiling of Corinne Tan, the corporate’s first-ever Asian American Woman of the 12 months, and the 2022 launch of Claudie, a Harlem Renaissance-era doll that honors the interval’s expansive contributions to artwork and tradition, Kavi is the newest in a rising array of culturally various American Woman choices.
“Kavi joins the corporate’s lengthy line of up to date characters, launched greater than 20 years in the past, that characterize a variety of backgrounds to replicate what it means to be an American lady as we speak,” the corporate wrote of the brand new doll’s launch. “By way of Kavi, younger readers will be taught the significance of discovering a wholesome rhythm in life and really feel impressed to pursue their very own distinctive abilities and attain for his or her desires.”
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Kavi loves taking part in piano, dancing, and singing, however is very on the planet of Broadway. In It’s Showtime, Kavi, the hardback kids’s novel accompanying the doll’s launch, Kavi is making her solution to New York Metropolis to see her first foremost stage present — Depraved, in fact — to have a good time her twelfth birthday.
Her story, which additionally touches on the Sharma household’s Indian heritage, was written by writer Varsha Bajaj, recognized for her bestselling middle-grade novels Thirst, Rely Me In, and Abby Spencer Goes to Bollywood. “Kavi’s story is necessary to all of the younger readers who will see elements of their lives represented. I took immense enjoyment of showcasing slivers of Indian tradition, together with dance, yoga traditions, meals, clothes, and magical festivals like Diwali and Holi,” Bajaj wrote in Kavi’s announcement.
Kavi loves each musical theater and her pup.
Credit score: American Woman
Kavi additionally celebrates her Indian heritage in quite a lot of methods.
Credit score: American Woman
Since its preliminary American history-focused launch in 1986, American Woman has made an effort to broaden its providing of consultant dolls, echoing a bigger inclusivity shift by father or mother firm Mattel. Following a number of different dolls of East Asian heritage, together with 2011 Woman of the 12 months Kanani Akina, the firm unveiled Z, a Korean American doll launched as a part of the standing American Woman line of dolls (she has since been retired), and the 2021 Woman of the 12 months Corrine Tan.
The 2017 Woman of the 12 months doll was Gabriela McBride, a younger Black activist navigating her passions and the stigma related to having a stutter. And in 2019, American Woman unveiled Joss Kendrick, the primary Woman of the 12 months doll with listening to loss.
In June 2021, the corporate prolonged this effort to its non-doll merchandise as effectively, releasing a brand new entry in its “A Good Woman’s Information” collection titled Race & Inclusion: Standing As much as Racism and Constructing a Higher World.
The dolls are paired with actual world “do-good” initiatives by the doll firm. Alongside Kavi’s launch, the firm is donating $25,000 to NYC-based nonprofit Camp Broadway, which can fund full and partial scholarships for teenagers ages 7 to 14 who’re attending the camp’s 2023 summer time program in New York Metropolis. The nonprofit offers cultural enrichment applications and different assets for younger individuals excited by performing arts, leisure, and tradition.
Kavi is accessible on-line beginning Dec. 29 and in retail shops Jan. 1. To be taught extra about Kavi and Bajaj’s story, and to buy the brand new doll, go to the American Woman web site.
