Drink Like a Woman by Jeanette Hurt

Author:Jeanette Hurt
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781580056298
Publisher: Seal Press
Published: 2016-08-24T16:00:00+00:00

Ruth’s Pink Taboo

Before Disney’s princesses came into power, before American Girls went on any of their wholesome, life-enhancing adventures, and before Bratzes’ big heads sassed the playground, there was Barbie, and little girls loved her.

Classic Punch Formula

1 part “sour” (citrus)

2 parts “sweet” (sugar)

3 parts “strong” (booze)

4 parts “weak” (spices or tea)

While scholars have argued against everything Barbie—from her unrealistic proportions to her pinkalicious lifestyle—what many may not realize is that this cultural icon was created by a feminist entrepreneur and mother.

At a time when baby dolls were all the rage, RUTH HANDLER (1916–2002) recognized a common truth that male toy company executives just couldn’t see. Little girls didn’t always want to play moms to baby dolls; they also wanted to pretend to be teenagers who wore makeup and got ready for dates—and who were arguably much more fun and exciting than were moms. In fact, Ruth got the idea for Barbie by watching her own daughter, Barbara, play with paper dolls that were drawn to look like teenagers. When Ruth first presented the idea to execs, they were aghast at the thought of producing a doll with breasts, saying no mother would buy her daughter such a big-bosomed toy. But sure of herself and her market, Ruth persevered—and in Barbie’s first year, more than 350,000 dolls were sold, establishing the pert plastic fashion model firmly in the toy aisles of stores everywhere.

In later years, Ruth—and Barbie—both evolved. Barbie became a doctor, explored space, and drove a NASCAR race car, while Ruth quietly survived breast cancer and then, not so quietly, trailblazed a second career as a breast-prosthesis manufacturer. She even became a spokeswoman for self-exams and early detection at a time when the subject remained taboo. “I’ve lived my life from breast to breast,” Ruth quipped.

Just as the idea of Barbie was subversive, so is this pink drink. A pink cocktail doesn’t have to cloy with sweetness or hit you over the head with fruitiness. Instead, much like Ruth, this is both complex and delicious. And it’s best enjoyed in a sparkly crystal glass.

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