Barbie dolls highlight role models of past, present

(CNN) - Mattel is introducing a new batch of Barbie dolls based on real-life figures just ahead of International Women's Day on Thursday.

They're coming in two separate series of Barbies: "Inspiring Women" based on historical figures and new additions to its "Shero" line of dolls named for inspirational contemporary women. 

The three "Inspiring Women" dolls are aviator Amelia Earhart, artist Frida Kahlo and mathematician Katherine Johnson, whose story was featured in the major motion picture "Hidden Figures." More will follow.

Mattel is releasing 14 new Shero dolls in the series that started in 2015.

They include ones based on "Wonder Woman" director Patty Jenkins and U.S. snowboarder Chloe Kim.

Both Jenkins and Kim expressed their gratitude for the honor, with Jenkins explaining, "Can't express how totally mind blowing and delightful it is to have your childhood favorite resemble you!!"

Other "Shero" dolls honor fashion designers, journalists, athletes, actresses and entrepreneurs. 

The new dolls came after Mattel conducted a survey of 8,000 mothers around the globe and found that 86 percent are worried about the kind of role models to whom their daughters are exposed. 

Copyright 2018 CNN. All rights reserved. Raycom News Network contributed to this report.