By Gary Symons
TLL Editor in Chief
Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WiT) will host the 2024 Wonder Women Awards in Beverly Hills on September 13.
WiT is the industry’s leading organization advocating for the advancement of women, and the Wonder Women Awards celebrates many of the most talented people in working in the fields of toys, entertainment, and licensing.
The awards gala will be held in Beverly Hills during the annual LA Fall Preview Week. “This is not just another awards night,” organizers say. “This is the celebration where innovation meets inspiration and ‘herstory’ is made!”
Speaking of herstory, the 19th Annual Wonder Women Awards will honor Kitty Black Perkins, the former Chief Barbie Designer at Mattel, with the Trailblazer Award.
Fans of the Barbie Movie will recall that in the satirical film, the Barbie franchise was managed by a phalanx of identically suited men, but in reality, the creative force behind the Barbie brand at Mattel was Perkins. She led the design of literally hundreds of dolls that contributed to the Barbie brand’s global success, and WiT notes that her inspirational leadership played a pivotal role in shaping the iconic brand, including the introduction of the first Black Barbie, the African American collection, Shani & Friends and collaborations with Brandy and Diana Ross.
Perkins may not have gotten a role in the Barbie Movie (although her doll designs did), but she was recently spotlighted in the 2023 Netflix film, Black Barbie: A Documentary, which was executive produced by Shonda Rhimes.
“True to the definition of a trailblazer, Kitty Black Perkins not only shaped the way we see toys, but empowered generations to come to dream bigger,” WiT says.
The awards night will also star Kathi Vidal as the featured presenter. Vidal is the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the US Patent and Trademark Office, making her one of the most influential minds behind the laws and regulations that shape and protect US brands. Vidal will be awarding the WiT Foundation’s 2024 Scholarship Recipients.
“As a leading voice in innovation and a passion for female mentorship, Ms. Vidal’s work at the helm of the USPTO is shaping the future of entrepreneurship and creativity and helping American workers and businesses compete,” WiT says, adding, “This night is going to be magical.”
You can secure your table now and also get more details on the awards night at the Wonder Women Awards website.