"Barbie & Ruth" - Robin Gerber

I love Barbie. I'm a girlie-girl through and through. Pink, heels, makeup, gossip, you name it, I love it. I'm also starting to devour biographies. So, when I came across the biography of Barbies "mom", I snatched it up! I learned so much that I didn't know! I knew that Barbie was named for the founders daughter, Barbara. Beyond that, nothing. Well, Ruth Handler was born and raised right her, in Denver CO! She is the youngest of like 10 kids; in fact, her oldest sister was married right when she was born and she raised her. Ruth never lived with her parents or really felt a connection towards them as parents. They both died within a week of each other, while Ruth was on bed-rest during her 2nd pregnancy. So she didn't even attend their funeral. Ruth's sister, Sara, wanted the very best for Ruth. She fell in love very young - to a man named Elliot. Despite Sara's attempts to split them up, they eventually married and were together well into 60 years when Ruth died. Elliot was an artsy guy and got into plastics and this newfangled thing called Plexiglass. One thing led to another and he and Ruth started business making some amazing Lucite jewlery & house decors. They were entrapenours from the start! They had two kids - Barbara and Ken! They constantly were ahead of their time - breasts on a doll! wheels that spin on a toy car! fake breasts for breast cancer survivors! AIDS research! The couple never rested but felt they still created a warm and loving home for their children. The kids see it another way. Ken, in fact, was gay. The irony, that "his" doll is a gay-icon! And despite being married, had many same-sex pursuits and yes, contracted and eventually died from HIV/AIDS. The ups and downs in Ruths life were astounding. She created the worlds most famous doll. Built, from the ground up, one of the biggest toy companies on Earth. Created the first personal prosthetic breast for "masectomees". Was a founding leader for women in business. Started the concept of the 401k. Gave charitibly to the employees of Mattel and the people of LA. On the downside: never created too many personal relationships due to her workhorse ways. Was tried and convicted of business crimes, including insider trading. Lost her son to a very unknown disease. Lost both of her breasts to cancer and dealt with many other health issues. Was known in the business world as a "bitch" (as powerful women usually are). Her story is amazing and inspiring. And very appropriate as this year is Barbie's 50th birthday! Here's to you, pretty lady!