Author Courtney E. Martin discusses the history of Barbie and the influence the iconic doll has had on the self-image of American girls since its launch in March 1959 on Thursday, March 11, at 6:30 p.m. at the Plaza Branch, 4801 Main St.

Barbie has often been criticized for promoting an unrealistic idea of body image. Martin grew up playing with Barbie dolls, despite the opposition of her feminist mother, and finds herself now “happy with my curves, convinced of my own intelligence, and unabashedly feminist.”

She concludes that Barbie does not hold a candle to the influence of a mother.

Martin is the author of Perfect Girls, Starving Daughters: How the Quest for Perfection is Harming Young Women.

The event complements the Celebrating 50 Fabulous Years with America’s Favorite Doll exhibit at the Toy & Miniature Museum and is co-sponsored by the UMKC Women’s Center.