The National Women’s History Museum (NWHM) will honor Mattel at the Women Making History Awards early next year. The leading toy and family entertainment company will receive the inaugural Evelyn Y. Davis Corporate Changemaker Award for its contributions to society and its impact on future generations of girls.
NWHM celebrates the diverse contributions of women to society and showcases the untold stories of women throughout history. At the upcoming event, the museum will honor outstanding figures in various fields who have contributed to society by inspiring women and the future of women’s history.
Mattel will receive the Evelyn Y. Davis Corporate Changemaker Award for its ability to help generations of girls discover the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. By receiving this award, Mattel will become the first company to be recognized for the social impact of well-known brands such as Barbie, Monster High and American Girl.
Lisa McKnight, executive vice president and chief brand officer of Mattel, will accept the award on behalf of the company. In addition to overseeing the company’s toy brands and categories, the 25-year Mattel veteran has built Barbie into the No. 1 toy industry in the world (2020, 2021) and the No. 1 doll industry in the world (2020-2024) .
In past ceremonies, the gala has paid tribute to groundbreaking women such as Rita Moreno, Maya Angelou and Katherine Johnson, who all had Barbies made in their image baby. By honoring Mattel, the gala hopes to encourage more brands to take action to promote gender equality and representation.
“Receiving the inaugural Evelyn Y. Davis Corporate Changemaker Award is an incredible honor for Mattel,” said McKnight. “This award reflects Mattel’s commitment to our purpose, the impact of initiatives like the Barbie Dream Gap program, and how our brands like Barbie, Monster High and American Girl empower generations of children around the world to enjoy our products, content, and and see yourself in the experience”.
“Mattel is a pioneer in challenging stereotypes and advancing gender equality through the power of games and storytelling,” said Susan D. Whiting, chair of the NWHM Board of Directors. “Mattel is unwavering in our commitment to empowering girls to realize that they are limitless, capable and powerful.”
The Women Making History Awards Gala will be held on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at The Anthem in Washington, DC.
