It's 2019, and, unfortunately, we still have a long way to go in representation and inclusion in mass media, especially advertising.
We're getting there, slowly and surely, and this four-year-old model with Down syndrome who was just featured in an American Girl catalog is proof!
The brand's founder, Pleasant Rowland, a former educator herself, wanted to create a doll that offered play and history lessons.
They're working on making all girls feel visible and included.
For their 2019 October catalog, American Girl featured a little girl with Down syndrome.
Speaking to local Chicago station ABC7, Ivy's mom Kristin talked about how important this exposure is.
"But especially having a child with Down syndrome, there’s not a lot of print or media with a lot of kids with Down syndrome. "
Kristin loves that companies are making a concerted effort to be more inclusive and diverse, but she hopes one day it doesn't have to be an effort and is just part of the norm.
And that is certainly the whole point!
