She was a legend before her 30th birthday, revolutionizing and modernizing an art. She was America’s ballet ambassador, for decades… and generations before the haunting “Killers Of The Flower Moon” re-introduced the Osage people to the public consciousness, Maria Tallchief was the Osage’s de facto ambassador to the world. In life and in death, Tallchief has been revered and honored for several reasons – and in many ways.
This week, a Maria Tallchief Barbie doll was placed on store shelves.
“Barbie is proud to honor Maria Tallchief, widely considered America’s first prima ballerina, in the Barbie Inspiring Women series,” said Krista Berger, Senior Vice President of Barbie and Global Head of Dolls, in a Mattel press statement. “As she rose through the New York City Ballet, where she achieved the highest-ranking position for female dancers in the ballet company, she remained deeply connected to her Osage Nation heritage. Maria demonstrated that determination knows no bounds, and her unwavering commitment to Native American and female empowerment makes her story one Barbie is delighted to share to inspire generations of girls to pursue their dreams and embrace their limitless potential.”
Dressed in an exquisite (and accurate) homage to Tallchief’s red costume during her career-making 1949 debut in the New York City Ballet’s “The Firebird,” the highly detailed Barbie figure and accompanying packaging text was created with the assistance of the Osage Nation. Tallchief was born in the Oklahoma reservation town of Fairfax in 1925, before moving to Los Angeles at the age of 8 to study dance.
The Osage Nation will host a public celebration of the release of the Tallchief doll in Pawhuska, Oklahoma on Nov. 18. One of the schedule events is a performance of “The Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy.” Tallchief, who worked with George Balanchine for years – and was married to him for a handful of them – originated the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy in “The Nutcracker.”
Synonymous with grace and strength for almost her entire life, Tallchief passed away in 2013 at age 88.
Among the Pawhuska celebration’s speakers will be Tallchief’s daughter, the prominent poet Dr. Elise Paschen. She wrote, “I am thrilled that my mother, Maria Tallchief, is receiving a Barbie Inspiring Women doll in her honor. She encouraged me to pursue my own dreams as a poet, and it brings me joy that her story can inspire other young girls to discover their passions and pursue them. There is immense value in honoring your own heritage while also breaking down barriers through the power of artistic self-expression – whether it is through dancing, writing, or another passion – and I hope this doll instills that power in everyone.”
Previous honorees in Mattel’s Inspiring Women Barbie series were journalist and activist Ida B. Wells, figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi, author Isabel Allende, and entrepreneur/activist Madam C.J. Walker.
I can’t begin to imagine how these dolls have thrilled so many people, of so many ages. People identifying with their heritages and/or professions; admiring their accomplishments, and/or their accomplishments as women. My mother (who passed away last August), would’ve been stunned at the news of this latest creation.
“Oh, my. They’ve made a Maria Tallchief Barbie… can you believe it?” she would’ve marveled in almost a whisper, before rushing to buy several as gifts. I would’ve received one.
(To additionally honor Maria Tallchief’s dedication to Native American and female empowerment, Barbie will make a donation through the Barbie Dream Gap Project to the Center for Native American Youth – a national education and advocacy organization that works alongside Native youth on reservations, rural villages and urban areas across the country to improve their health, safety and overall well-being.)
