Africa and Dolls

Many of dolls that I have met are inspired by Africa. What dolls would fall in this category and why? Some dolls are made specifically for an African country while others have a connection with Africa in clothes, hairstyles, name and background. I will discuss several dolls and action figures that fit into this category, some may surprise you.

When I started this idea several years ago, I never thought that I would be able to put two presidents in this category, especially an African American president.
Presidents:
Barack Obama was elected the 44th President of the United States. He took office in January of 2009. His father was Kenyan. He was created by DID in 2009.

The first African American First Lady Michelle Obama was created by Franklin Mint Company.  Her height is approximately 17".  The company is supposedly going to created a President Obama.  No date has been set for his release.

Nelson Mandela was the first Black South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election. He was elected to office in 1994. He was created by the Toy Presidents in 2005.

To be continued (Next topic will feature the kings and queens)

Miss America

On January 30, 2010, a new Miss America was crowned Caressa Cameroon(Virginia). She was the 7th African American women to hold the crown. The first one to hold the crown was Vanessa Williams (New York) in 1984.

In 1991,we received our own Miss America contestant. The Kenner Toy Company created a line of Miss America contestant dolls. There was one African American doll and her name was Tonya. She came dressed in two different outfits; they represented the evening gown and talent competitions.


Tonya is not wearing her original outfit(s).

The other women to hold the crown were: 1984 Suzette Charles- New Jersey; 1990 Debbye Turner- Missouri; 1991 Marjorie Judith Vincent- Illinois; 1994 Kimberly Aiken-South Carolina; 2004 Erika Dunlap -Florida.