A doll inspired my Olympic win. I hope my Barbie helps others.
When I started skating at 6 years old, I idolized Dorothy Hamill so much that I had a Dorothy doll and would perch her on the edge of the rink to watch me twirl on the ice.
Fourteen years later, I followed her path to become the first American woman figure skater to win Olympic gold since Dorothy did in 1976. And now, three decades later, Barbie is honoring me with my own doll as the newest addition to its Inspiring Women Series.
Six-year-old me never would have imagined I’d be where I am today. And who knows what I would’ve been more thrilled about: winning an Olympic gold medal or having my own Barbie. But I only got here because I was able to discover my dreams as a young girl and have the support and determination to achieve them.
Doll play has led me to Always Dream
In this chapter of my life, I want to give children that same chance to find their passions and relentlessly pursue them. But there’s a key ingredient to this, and it starts with having a wild imagination and role models whom you can look up to.
There are multiple ways we can cultivate an imaginative spirit in kids. Books, for example, unlock imaginations, and that’s where dreams are born. When children open up a book, they open up their world.
I think doll play has the same power. My Dorothy doll was not just a piece of decoration on the ice rink; it helped me discover a dream deep within and inspired me to trust that I was worthy of it. I hope that my Barbie Inspiring Women doll does the same for children who are exploring their futures and what’s available to them.
Once I achieved that dream of winning an Olympic gold medal in 1992, I felt like there was something more I could do. I had so much support as a young skater – from my family, community and coaches – and I wanted the same opportunity for other kids.
Through working with children and raising my own girls, I quickly realized that a child’s success in life starts with a foundational education and an interest in reading.
In 1996, I established Always Dream, a nonprofit organization that aims to increase children’s literacy by providing access to books and encouraging families to read together.
The name comes from how I signed off when I used to do autographs (“Always Dream, Kristi”) – a piece of inspiration taken from Brian Boitano, who once gave me an autograph signed with the reminder: “Follow your dreams.”
What would be bigger than winning a gold medal?
I couldn’t be more thrilled that as part of our partnership, Barbie will be donating to my organization and helping to empower Asian American women and girls, while also increasing educational resources for all young girls.
As a mother of two daughters, I’m grateful for how far we’ve come in encouraging young girls to dream big – and I know that Barbie’s work to tell more diverse stories has played a part in that.
When I was 20, I did not look like most American figure skaters – let alone an Olympic gold medalist. But through the power of my imagination and looking to women who had come before me, I discovered my passions, pushed through the obstacles and dared to make my dreams become a reality.
A book is more than just a book, and a doll is more than just a doll.
As a 6-year-old, there was something meaningful to me about having Dorothy’s doll next to me as I would jump, fall and pick myself back up again.
She was there for me, reminding me of my dream and inspiring me to never give up on it.
If I can do the same for other young girls with my Barbie Inspiring Women doll, that just might be the biggest gold medal of all.
Kristi Yamaguchi, founder of the children’s literacy foundation Always Dream, is the first Asian American to win an individual figure skating gold medal, at the 1992 Winter Olympics.