MIDDLETON, Wis., Aug. 25, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- On August 25, 2016, American Girl's newest
historical character Melody
Ellison—civil rights believer, chorus leader, and
daughter of Detroit—hits the scene and inspires girls and their
families to be a force for positive growth and change. With hope,
enthusiasm, and a solid sense of fairness, 9-year-old Melody
provides a glimpse of life during the 1960s—a significant decade
for the civil rights movement in America and a time of great
energy, optimism, challenges, and change. With the struggle for
equality and justice still prevalent today, Melody bridges the past
and present for girls and shows them how ordinary people can do
extraordinary things when they come together to make a meaningful
difference.
"American Girl's historical characters have long been celebrated
for their educational value and for helping girls discover strength
of character through things that truly matter—like helping others,
being a true friend, and standing up for what's right," says
Katy Dickson, president of American
Girl. "We're proud to introduce Melody and hope she'll serve as an
important role model to girls, giving them the courage to use their
voices to speak up about what they believe in—even when it's not
easy to do. A concept that's just as important today as it was over
50 years ago."
Written by award-winning author Denise
Lewis Patrick, the Melody stories introduce readers ages 8
and up to Melody Ellison, who loves
her close-knit family, gardening with her grandparents, and singing
her heart out. Whether she's in the children's choir at church,
backing up her brother's Motown music, or singing into a hairbrush
with her sisters, Melody loves blending her voice with others. When
Melody is asked to sing her first solo at church, she's determined
to find the right song and make it perfect. She's inspired by the
words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,
and influenced by her oldest sister, a college student who is
taking action to make things fair for all African Americans. As
Melody experiences discrimination herself, and as she hears about
the atrocities happening throughout the country, she discovers that
her voice is her mightiest strength and, when joined with the
voices of many, it can bring about monumental changes.
To help ensure the historical accuracy and cultural authenticity
of Melody's story and products, an esteemed six-member advisory
board was selected to review and provide input on all aspects of
Melody's development—including the doll, books, outfits,
accessories, issues, and story setting. The board members include
the late Horace Julian Bond,
chairman emeritus, NAACP Board of Directors and founding member of
Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC); Gloria House, director and professor
emerita, African and African American Studies, University of Michigan-Dearborn; Juanita Moore, President and CEO of the
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in
Detroit and founding executive
director of the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis; Rebecca de
Schweinitz, associate professor of history, Brigham Young University, Utah, and author of If We Could Change the
World: Young People and America's Long Struggle for Racial
Equality; Thomas J.
Sugrue, professor of history at New
York University and author of Sweet Land of
Liberty: The Forgotten Struggle for
Civil Rights in the North; and JoAnn
Watson, native of Detroit, ordained minister, and former
executive director of the Detroit NAACP.
"I relished everything about the Melody project—from being a
part of the discussion concerning Melody's appearance—her hair and
skin color, clothes, and accessories—to reading manuscripts,
ensuring that her African American lifestyle and cultural practices
were accurate and reflective of the 1960s," said Melody advisory
board member Gloria House. "I hope
Melody and her stories inspire young girls today, offering them an
experience rich in basic political and social concepts that
they will be able to apply in their own lives."
As an important city in the civil rights movement, Melody's
hometown of Detroit was selected
to showcase one of the country's most vibrant and thriving black
communities of the era, with more independent black-owned
businesses, like Motown Records, than any other location in the
country, as well as home to one of the largest chapters of the
NAACP. Detroit laid claim to
significant local civil rights activities, such as the 1963 Walk to
Freedom march, featuring the precursor of Dr. King's now-famous "I
Have a Dream" speech. The Detroit
location also helps young readers understand that the struggle for
civil rights was not just an issue in the South and that African
Americans throughout the United
States faced racial inequality and discrimination.
In addition to the stories, the Melody product collection
features a beautiful 18-inch doll with dark brown eyes and black
hair, plus several historically authentic 1960s doll outfits and
historically inspired apparel for girls. Numerous accessories round
out the play experience, including a Motown-inspired recording
studio that plays and records music, a Melody block party set, and
other items that bring her 1960s-era world to life.
To further engage girls in Melody's world and her inspirational
message, American Girl is introducing the following activities and
events:
- Lift Your Voice with Melody: To encourage people to
share their photos and videos of how they're speaking up to make a
difference, fans can watch the Lift Your Voice with Melody
video at americangirl.com/liftyourvoice and then share their own
inspiring videos and photos, using #LiftYourVoice.
- Melody Learning Materials: For parents and teachers,
free, downloadable Melody Learning and Reader Discussion Guides,
which explore themes and issues from the 1960s, are available at
http://www.americangirl.com/corporate/parents-and-teachers
- Melody Retail Events: At American Girl retail stores,
girls can listen to music that inspired Melody and celebrate her
arrival with special block party food, free Melody-inspired crafts,
and a free doll T-shirt giveaway.
- Detroit Community Support: American Girl is partnering
with the Detroit Public Library system (22 branches) and donating
$100,000 in free Melody books for any
area child who wants one through the end of 2016; $50,000 in funds to support the children's area
throughout the library system; and $25,000 in Melody dolls to be used for
fundraising and incentives. The entire donation to the library is
valued at $175,000.
-
Melody Amazon Special: An original American Girl
live-action special, Melody, 1963: Love
Has to Win, an American Girl Story, will premiere
on Amazon Prime Video this fall. The Melody special is an Amazon
adaptation of American Girl's original created stories.
The Melody doll and related products will be available on
August 25, 2016, at
americangirl.com; at all American Girl retail locations
nationwide; through American Girl's catalogue; and at American Girl
specialty boutiques at select Indigo™ and Chapters™ locations in
Canada. The Melody books can also
be purchased through retail and online booksellers. To learn more
about Melody and the BeForever line of historical characters, go to
americangirl.com or visit American Girl's social channels.
To request a free American Girl catalogue, call
1-800-845-0005; to join the company's new loyalty program,
AG Rewards, go to americangirl.com/REWARDS.
ABOUT AMERICAN GIRL
American Girl is a premium brand
for girls and a wholly owned subsidiary of Mattel, Inc.
(NASDAQ:MAT, www.mattel.com), a creations company that
inspires the wonder of childhood. Headquartered in Middleton, WI, American Girl offers an
inspiring world of dolls, experiences, and entertainment to
empower and unite girls of all ages. Best-selling lines include
Truly Me™, Girl of the Year™, Bitty Baby™, WellieWishers™, and the
classic historical character line BeForever™. The company sells
products through its award-winning catalogue,
on americangirl.com, in its experiential retail stores
nationwide, and in specialty boutiques at select Indigo™
and Chapters™ in Canada
and El Palacio de Hierro locations in Mexico City. American Girl's mission is
to fuel belonging and connection among girls, a goal that has
already earned the loyalty of millions and the praise and trust of
their parents and educators. To learn more about American Girl
or request a free catalogue, call 1-800-845-0005 or visit
www.americangirl.com, www.facebook.com/americangirl,
or www.twitter.com/american_girl.
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SOURCE American Girl