Barbie Celebrates International Women's Day with 'Dream Team' Doll Collection, Including Astronaut Kellie Gerardi

Gerardi tells PEOPLE that collaborating on her very own doll was "such a full-circle moment"

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Barbie is celebrating International Women's Day with a Dream Team collection of dolls based on real-life women, including research astronaut Kellie Gerardi. Gerardi says working on her own Barbie doll was a "full-circle moment" and that her goal is to help open the door to space for the next generation of scientists.

Why it matters

Barbie has long been a symbol of female empowerment, and this collection celebrates the achievements of real-life women who are trailblazers in their respective fields. By honoring astronaut Kellie Gerardi, Barbie is inspiring young girls to pursue careers in STEM and explore the possibilities of space exploration.

The details

The Dream Team collection includes dolls based on tennis legend Serena Williams, soccer star Chloe Kelly, racecar driver Regina Sirvent Alvarado, adventurer Zoja Skubis, cricketer Smriti Mandhana, surfer Stephanie Gilmore, and singer Helene Fischer, in addition to Kellie Gerardi. Gerardi says Mattel nailed every detail in recreating her signature look, from the matching patches on their flight jackets to the star necklace she wears.

  • Gerardi became the 90th woman to fly in space during Virgin Galactic's Galactic 05 mission in November 2023.
  • Gerardi will embark on her second space mission in 2026.

The players

Kellie Gerardi

A research astronaut who will soon be welcoming her second daughter. Gerardi grew up in Jupiter, Florida, near the Space Coast, and says space was the "backdrop of my adolescence." Her goal is to help open the door to space for the next generation of scientists.

Barbie

A popular line of fashion dolls produced by the American toy company Mattel. Barbie has long been a symbol of female empowerment and has featured dolls representing various careers and achievements.

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What they’re saying

“It's something that just feels like such a full-circle moment. I grew up playing with Barbie dolls. I'm a mom of an 8-year-old daughter, plus one who will be here in a few weeks, and that's a huge part of our imaginative play.”

— Kellie Gerardi, Research Astronaut (People)

“My goal was really about helping open the door to space for the next generation of scientists so that we could use space as a laboratory to benefit humanity. So, to be able to walk or float through that door myself in my career as a payload specialist and a research astronaut is amazing.”

— Kellie Gerardi, Research Astronaut (People)

What’s next

Gerardi will embark on her second space mission in 2026.

The takeaway

This collaboration between Barbie and real-life trailblazers like Kellie Gerardi represents the progress women have made in fields like science and space exploration, and inspires the next generation of girls to pursue their dreams and reach for the stars.