Growing up, I never saw myself represented in the toys I played with. This lack of representation is not unique to me, but shared by many children from Central America. Mattel's Barbie Collection has done an excellent job representing various cultures and countries with their Mexican, South American, Cuban and Puerto Rican Barbies. However, there is a noticeable absence of Central American representation.

This petition seeks to address this gap by urging Mattel to create a Miss Universe Barbie representing Miss Nicaragua - Sheynnis Palacios. At just 23 years old, Sheynnis is not only the winner of the prestigious Miss Universe title but also an active mental health activist and audiovisual producer who rescues animals in her spare time. Her love for her Nicaraguan heritage shines brightly and she would make a fantastic addition to the Barbie collection.

Creating a Barbie that represents Sheynnis Palacios would not only honor her achievements but also provide much-needed representation for Central American children who play with Barbies. It could be the start of an entire collection dedicated to celebrating Central America's diverse cultures and inspiring figures.

Let us urge Mattel to take this step towards inclusivity and diversity in their toy line-up by creating a Miss Universe Barbie representing our beloved Nicaraguan queen - Sheynnis Palacios! Sign this petition today!

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Here is a transcript of Sheyniss Palacios Q&A from the Miss Universe broadcast, in case you missed it: 

QUESTION: What qualities and values guide you as a leader and role model for others?

ANSWER: The quality that has inspired me and has inspired millions of women and girls is humility and to be able to appreciate all of the little things, because that’s where the most valuable thing is: the essence of being human.

QUESTION: If you could live one year in another woman's shoes, who would you choose and why?

ANSWER: I will choose Mary Wollstonecraft because she opened the gap and they gave an opportunity to many women. What I would do — I would want that gap, that income gap, would open up so that women could work in any area that they chose to work in because there's no limitation for women. That was 1750. Now in 2023, we're making history.

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Here's how I felt about Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios winning Miss Universe over the weekend:

I spent all Sunday watching movies with my kids, and watching every single video of Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios winning Miss Universe on my iPad.

It was euphoric.

This feeling was felt on the streets of Nicaragua and from Miami to San Francisco. To see a Latina triunfar sent every Central American to jump, dance and scream for joy. It was pandemonium!!!

I’ve cried so many tears of happiness, rewatching Sheyniss rock her catwalk and answer each pageant question with elegance, poise and not a single uhhhh. Sheyniss is the definition of flawless.

This is the first crown for Nicaragua and the first for a chica from Central America. I grew up watching these pageants with my mom and tias and always hoping to see Miss Guatemala or Miss Nicaragua make it to the top.

As a half Guatemalan and Nicaraguan kid, you never see your culture represented anywhere, unless it was something political and bad. I remember as a kid being made fun of because my culture was different, mixed and not Mexican.

And honestly, American education does a terrible job of teaching geography. To this day, some people don’t know that Nicaragua exists. On Saturday night, everyone got to know Nicaragua and put some respect on her name.

I called my mom, I texted my Nica primas who look like Sheyniss and we cried emojis! I was too tired to drive to the Mission in San Francisco to party with my Chavalos de Aquí y Allá friends but I was inspired to draw something!

This is why I make cultured art — for 10-year-old Susy who didn’t have this kind of representation growing up. Now we have Miss Universe! I drew Miss Universe 2023 Sheynnis Palacios, the 23-year-old mental health activist and audiovisual producer and animal rescuer, as a “Barbie of the World” in her crowning moment with her Nicaraguan sash.

Did you know Mattel does not have a single Central American Barbie? There’s always a first and I’m here to get that going. Gracias, Sheyniss, for giving us this moment. We will be talking about this until the end of time and being louder than ever: Miss Nicaraguaaaaaaa is Miss Universe!