With their long lasting legacy, carefully crafted backstories, and prominent two front teeth, American Girl dolls have long been a beloved part of American culture. Starting at $135, the dolls come at a luxury, relatively inaccessible price for them to be the doll of America. And yet, they have solidified themselves as a household name through their rich stories and quality craftsmanship. At the heart of the dolls is the goal of teaching young girls about history, something that few toy companies achieve successfully.
The brand has branched out from solely creating historical characters to a larger focus on modern representation. Their “American Girl of the Year” doll line was created in 2001. These dolls are contemporary, limited-edition, and released annually, celebrating current events with girls from modern eras. At the center of it all is the new girl of the year for 2025 — Mexican American pickleball-playing Raquel Reyes. During such a turbulent time in U.S. history, the decision to make the leading doll be of Mexican descent is political, powerful, and especially important for young girls.
“I chose American Girl Dolls over other toys since they were easier to connect to. It helped me understand that women belong in history and that we had a role,” BHS senior Kika Doherty said, “As a woman of color, I think that American Girls are extremely inclusive. I think that they really tried to include all races and they’ve included dolls that you can customize. I think this really highlights that brands can be more inclusive if they tried and that they wouldn’t receive any backlash.”
Launched in 1986, each American Girl doll was originally designed with matching books and individual accessories, tying the girls to different eras of American history. Kirsten, representing Western European immigration in the 1800s; Molly, who lived in the later years of World War II; and Samantha, whose story took place during the turn of the 20th century were all a part of this original concept. These dolls fill an interesting role as both teacher and toy.
As more and more dolls were released, their inclusivity also expanded, with dolls from different cultures and ethnicities that aren’t always featured in mass produced toys. They even provided the option to have a custom doll made to look just like you, including assistive technology such as wheelchairs and hearing aids. It wasn’t all perfect — for a long time, American Girl Doll had a pretty limited cast of characters. Notably, for 17 years, Addy was the only Black American girl doll, and her story was that she had escaped enslavement, something that did not sit right with many consumers. As the Black Youth Project puts it, “The company (American Girl) is supposed to represent the diverse nature of girlhood in America. Black girlhood in this country isn’t defined by or limited to slavery.” It is so essential for young people to see role models that look like them in the media and their toys, and Raquel Reyes is a lovely and needed addition.
The debate around Addy and a history of a pretty limited selection makes it clear that what people want is representation that isn’t limited, where girls can have dolls that look like them and whose stories aren’t exclusively linked to tragedy or stereotypes. Raquel’s character is a notable example of accurate representation. She is grounded in both her Mexican heritage as well her “Americanness” — her hobbies include DJ-ing, pickleball, journaling, and animal rescue. Her story honors and keeps close her culture, through music and her helping with her family’s paleta shop, while also making it clear that she and young girls like her are a part of the fabric of America. Another special thing that her doll does is bridge the gap between the historical dolls and the modern ones, as she is the great-granddaughter of one of the original dolls, Samantha Parkington. This gives her character a legacy, solidifying her within the world of American girl dolls, and it also creates a connection between parent and child — adults who grew up with the Samantha doll get to share that thread with their Raquel-owning child.
“I think it also sends a message to young girls who may be suffering losses from the detainments made by ICE, that people are standing with them. I find it super interesting that she is the great granddaughter of one of the original characters and think that it can help connect older generations with newer generations,” Doherty said.
Dolls perform a role more monumental than one would expect. They can provide an idea of what a young person can be, making it key for there to be both visual and cultural representation, as well as a diversity of ambitions. American Girl Dolls pick up the reigns in this realm, teaching history, social justice, and belonging.