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Physician Audrey Cruz becomes first Filipina Barbie doll model

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Bev Llorente | TFC News Las Vegas, Nevada

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Dr. Audrey Sue Cruz with the Barbie doll made in her image" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/life/08/12/20210811-audrey-cruz-audreyxsue-ig-2.jpg"/><figcaption>Dr. Audrey Sue Cruz with a Barbie doll made in her image. <em>Photo courtesy: Instagram/dr.audreyxsue</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>She is not just a beautiful face. She is also a physician.</p><p>Dr. Audrey Sue Cruz is a 31-year-old internist who has a Barbie doll made in her image. She is being honored with a one-of-a-kind doll by Mattel, Inc. as part of the company&#x27;s Thank You Heroes program for pandemic frontline health workers.</p><p>In an interview with TFC News, Dr. Cruz shared that it all started with a video she made, denouncing Asian American hate. She was surprised when she later got an email, saying she was chosen by Mattel to represent the Asian American community.</p><p>&quot;I had an article written about me. Barbie said that they had seen this article, they had seen the video, and they wanted to honor me with a Barbie doll,&quot; said Cruz. &quot;I was just so honored honestly. I was so emotional because I couldn&#x27;t believe what they want to honor me. I feel like my story is not unique. I feel like I was just doing my part just to speak out for our people and certainly being a frontline health worker too. I was just doing my job.&quot;</p><p>Cruz dedicates this honor not only to Asian Americans, but also to Filipino women around the world. &quot;You have a voice; don&#x27;t be afraid to speak up.&quot;</p><p>The doctor added, &quot;when I was growing up, I feel like my voice didn&#x27;t make a difference. But as I was able to grow older, as I was able to be in this profession, I realized anyone has a voice and if you want to speak up for something, do it.&quot;</p><p>Cruz also said that standing up against Asian hate crime was an advocacy she chose with other Asian American doctors.</p><p>&quot;We were seeing what was going on in the world. We did not want this to continue. I was a new mom at the time. I had a little boy, he was only a few months old when everything was happening. I didn&#x27;t want this to be the world he grows up in, and certainly didn&#x27;t want him seeing all these hatred and acts of violence towards people like us.&quot;</p><p>Before becoming a doctor, Cruz majored in electrical engineering. She said that although it was a male dominated profession, she was among four women who graduated in her class. &quot;I do want to break the stereotype. A male can be a nurse and a female can be a doctor,&quot; asserted Cruz. &quot;There should not be any judgment involved.&quot;</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Dr. Audrey Sue Cruz is recognized by Mattel, Inc." src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/life/08/12/20210811-audrey-cruz-audreyxsue-ig-3.jpg"/><figcaption>Dr. Audrey Sue Cruz is among frontline workers recognized by Mattel, Inc. for their contributions in the COVID-19 fight. Photo courtesy: Instagram/dr.audreyxsue</figcaption></figure></div><p>Eldest among three siblings, Cruz was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. She moved to Las Vegas when she was 5 years old. Both of her parents hail from Cavite City, Philippines. Growing up, Cruz was a straight A student. Her mother also recalls that her daughter has always been compassionate of others. &quot;When she was 10 years old, she called 911 when my dad was having a stroke. So she saved his life,&quot; shared Audrey&#x27;s mom, May.</p><p>The mother added that she has been supporting her daughter&#x27;s advocacy. &quot;I share her stories to our friends and family, and of course I share to my friends how to fight discrimination because as a nurse, we do come across being discriminated too at times. So there&#x27;s really no room for hatred in this world right now.&quot;</p><p>The Pinay Barbie continues to see patients every day. She encourages everyone to mask up and get vaccinated as the COVID-19 pandemic drags on. </p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WWyCqv0UhKg?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

Dr. Audrey Sue Cruz is honored with her own Barbie doll as part of Mattel, Inc.'s program to recognize pandemic frontliners.

Physician Audrey Cruz becomes first Filipina Barbie doll model

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Physician Audrey Cruz becomes first Filipina Barbie doll model

Bev Llorente | TFC News Las Vegas,

Nevada

Published Aug 12, 2021 06:01 PM PHT

|

Updated Aug 13, 2021 01:09 PM PHT

Read More:

Filipino

Barbie

Dr. Audrey Sue Cruz

COVID-19 pandemic frontliners

health workers

TFC News

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