American Girl Debuts First Asian American “Girl of the Year” Doll

American Girl is taking a stand against the continued racism and hate crimes Asian Americans are facing in the aftermath of COVID-19. On Thursday, December 30, the company released their 2022 “Girl of the Year” Doll, Corinne Tan, who, for the first time ever, is Asian American.

Corinne, a Chinese American, lives with her family in Aspen, Colorado. She likes to ski, hang out with her little sister Gwynn and is training her puppy to be a search-and-rescue dog. Her stories, Corinne and Corinne to the Rescue are written by Wendy Wan-Long Shang and illustrated by Peijin Yang. They explore her journey as she gets used to living with her new blended family following her parents’ divorce.

“What I really hope is that there is some part of Corinne’s story that makes readers feel seen, whether it’s because they are Asian American, or because they’re part of a blended family, or because they love skiing,” Shang said in a press release. “I think when readers feel seen, they realize that they matter and their experiences matter, and that they are meant to be the stars of their own stories!”

Along with the debut of Corinne’s 18-inch doll, American Girl, for the first time, also released a 14-inch companion doll for her little sister Gwynn. Plus, the company is partnering with AAPI Youth Rising (AYR), a student-led nonprofit organization that raises awareness for the rise in xenophobia and racism against Asians in America.

As part of the partnership with AYR, American Girl will be donating $25,000 towards the One/180 pledge, which asks schools and teachers to teach at least one lesson on AAPI history and culture during the year. From now through December 30, 2022, customers can also help donate to AYR through American Girl’s website or in retail stores.

“As we celebrate the new year, we’re excited to welcome Corinne and Gwynn Tan to our popular Girl of the Year lineup with meaningful stories that reflect what it means to be an American girl today,” Jamie Cygielman, general manager of American Girl, also said in the release. “While filled with outdoor adventure and fun, Corinne’s message is, ultimately, about the power of love—between families, friends, and communities—and the strength and courage that comes from it. We created Corinne to be a positive role model our fans can look up to and learn from as we all work toward a world where everyone is treated fairly and with respect.”

To learn more about the partnership and shop Corinne’s dolls and accessories visit AmericanGirl.com.