New Barbie doll honoring Wilma Mankiller, the first female chief of the Cherokee tribe

In Oklahoma, the head of the Cherokee Nation was honored for the first time with the release of a Barbie doll dedicated to a woman. The Wilma Mankiller doll is part of the Inspiring Women series and is now available for purchase.

Mankiller served as head of the Cherokee Nation from 1985 to 1995. She revitalized Cherokee tribal government, worked tirelessly to improve health care services and housing issues. Under her leadership, infant mortality decreased, safe access to water increased, and the population of the Cherokee Nation grew from 68,000 to 170,000. For her work, Mankiller received the Medal of Freedom from the president in 1998.

"Wilma Mankiller has shown countless young women how to be unafraid and speak up for indigenous and human rights. She not only held a male-dominated office during the suppression of tribal nations, but she led," said Cherokee Nation Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr.

The Mattel company that released the doll also donated $25,000 to the Native American Center to support initiatives that strengthen Native American women and girls and preserve culture.

The Barbie "Inspirational Women" series also included dolls honoring Celia Cruz, Anna Mae Wong, Bessie Coleman and other great women.

The Wilma Mankiller doll is dressed in rich blue-green tones with a ribbon stripe symbolizing the four directions.

Last year's series featured dolls dedicated to Ida B. Wells, Dr. Jane Goodall and Madam C.J. Walker, and in previous years, Dr. Maya Angelou, Helen Keller, Eleanor Roosevelt, Billie Jean King, Elle Fitzgerald, Florence Nightingale, Susan B. Anthony, Amelia Earhart, Katherine Johnson, Frida Kahlo, Rosa Parks and Sally Ride.