By Sommerly Simser, Multimedia Managing Editor

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Fifty years ago, a fashion icon was born.

An icon that exemplifies poise and sophistication. An icon that promotes the all-American woman. An icon that brings hope to little girls all over the world that they can have any career they put their minds and hearts to and look good while doing it. Fifty years ago, Barbie was born.

March 9 will mark the small, but iconic doll’s 50th birthday. Some are probably laughing about this, but in all seriousness, one of the biggest toy inventions of our century and a significantly influential role model to women of all ages is still going strong after 50 years. Now that is something to celebrate.

Barbie was created in March 1959 by Ruth Handler, wife of Elliott Handler, co-founder of Mattel, after Ruth noticed the need for such a doll. She realized this one day after she saw her daughter playing with her dolls. Ruth’s daughter was giving her dolls grown up roles even though all the dolls at the time resembled babies.

A family vacation to Europe initially led Ruth to the idea of a more modern doll when she came across a popular German doll named Bild Lilli; the doll was exactly what her daughter and other daughters across America needed. Bild Lilli represented the modern German woman, fashionable, confident and successful. The same principles Barbie represents today.

No one could have expected after the initial launch of Barbie in 1959 that she would ultimately become the No. 1 toy of all time with sales reaching more than a billion dollars.

It is no surprise that she was flying off the shelves after her inception. Who wouldn’t want to play with a fashionable beauty that exuded the ideals little girls admired? Not to mention having a gorgeous, steady boyfriend and plenty of siblings and friends to surround herself.

Barbie lived out the hopes and dreams of what little girls want to be when they grow up. She has kept numerous careers throughout the past 50 years that sometimes were considered unfit for a woman to possess. Barbie took a spin at being a NASCAR racecar driver, doctor, dentist, horse trainer, astronaut, and in the year 2000 before the likes of Sarah Palin or Hillary Clinton, Barbie was elected President of the United States. She also has served in every branch of the military.

Even with that impressive resume, a newly developed modern figure and the adoration of girls and women all over the world, the last decade has proven to be a rough one for Barbie. The development of Bratz Dolls and the new Hannah Montana craze are just two of the most recent merchandising obsessions that have impacted her overall sales. This past month, Mattel Inc. reported that Barbie’s sales were down 9 percent already this year.

It is a sad reminder that Barbie no longer tops the charts. Rumors are flying that Barbie will not last to see another 50 years. And even with the celebration of Barbie’s semi centennial, there is no guarantee that Mattel Inc.’s goal to “Reinvigorate Barbie’s brand,” according to its 2009 annual report, is going to make a lasting legacy.

So on March 9, perhaps you should take a trip to your local toy store to buy a new Barbie for a little girl that has never dreamt of being something bigger or better than what she has been lead to believe. Help to start a new wave of Barbie lovers that aspire to be the next female astronaut or the first female President.

Or at the very least, take a moment to remember your childhood best friend: the one that drove the pretty pink corvette and wore all the latest fashions, who topped the corporate latter and never stopped smiling – I know I will.

While I agree with you that Barbie’s history is long and prestigious (I had a Barbie, and her cousin Skipper, too), I’m surprised you didn’t mention anything about the various controversies surrounding Barbie dolls in the past 50 years.

For starters, the original Barbie doll was created with unrealistic physical measurements. If Barbie were a real woman, she would be 5 feet 9 inches tall, with an 18 inch waist. She would weigh somewhere around 110 pounds (the weight listed on her scale in 1965), 35 pounds shy of what a healthy 5’9″ woman should weigh.

As for her careers, while Barbie was certainly before her time in many roles, she did it all with a smile fixed permanently on her face. Where is the Barbie who acts like a real woman when she gets home from work? Where is Rush Hour Barbie– with her frazzled hair, her coffee-stained blouse, and her swollen feet?

I’ll admit, I loved the fact that Barbie ventured into careers that women did not traditionally have, but you’re missing a few in your list here. You’ve forgotten Pregnant Midge (Part of the Happy Family Collection) who struts around with her pregnant belly in heels, complete with a baby when she’s come to term! Or Black Canary Barbie, who is dressed like a prostitute, and marketed to children “14 and up.” Or Totally Tattoos Barbie, who comes with temporary tattoos for both Barbie and the owner, one of which is a tramp stamp with Ken’s name on it. She also comes with a water tattoo gun for easy application!

I think your evaluation of Barbie is a little bit one-sided, and ignores many of the significant problems introduced by Barbie in the past.