Ruth Handler

“My whole philosophy of Barbie was that through the doll, the little girl could be anything she wanted to be.”

“We mothers are handicapped in trying to explain to our daughters what a mature woman's body is like.”

“When I conceived Barbie, I believed it was important to a little girl's self-esteem to play with a doll that has breasts. Now I find it even more important to return that self-esteem to women who have lost theirs.”

“I couldn't get a bank loan. A woman couldn't get a bank loan.”

“Barbie has always represented the fact that a woman has choices.”

“Live your dream. Don't be scared of the competition.”

“Some men are threatened by powerful women. I don't give a damn.”

“Barbie has been a reflection of the times.”

“Every little girl needed a doll through which to project herself into her dream of her future.”

“If you have a good idea, and you can't seem to get it going, don't give up.”

“I thought it was important to them to play out their dreams.”