The original dolls were historical characters, each one focusing on a different period of history. Former teacher pleasant rowland created the 18inch dolls and gave them backstories of young girls living. Even pleasant company as american girl was known prior to being sold to mattel in 1998 produced nonwhite dolls before the arrival of addy in 1993, as part of the more culturally diverse, lesser. American girl dolls and books were created by pleasant rowland, who founded the pleasant company in 1986. Pleasant rowland net worth 2020 salary house cars wiki.
Rowland was inspired to create the american girl brand because of her longstanding interest in history. Official site for american girl dolls, clothes, doll furniture, doll accessories, books, and more. The history of american girl dolls and pleasant company and changes in book illustrations pleasant company began in 1986 in middleton, wisconsin. Rowland is best known for creating the american girl brand. It was founded by pleasant rowland, who grew up in chicagos beverly neighborhood. Rowland foundation to serve her philanthropic interests in the arts, education, and historic preservation. A message to american girls from pleasant rowland inns of aurora. Pleasant company began in 1986 in middleton, wisconsin. The original reason was to fill an empty space in the doll market of the time. Apr 03, 2019 later that same week, she received a gift from her friend, pleasant rowland, with a note that read, valerie could we ever have expected this. March 8, 1941 is an american educator, reporter, writer, entrepreneur and philanthropist.
She is also notable for her efforts to redevelop historic properties in aurora, new york, where she created a partnership with her alma mater wells college. Rowland foundation to provide funds for the arts, education, and historic preservation. A message to american girls from pleasant rowland inns. Pleasant rowland paige v polinsky in this engaging biography, readers will learn about the inventor of the american girl doll, pleasant rowland. Rowland, a woman who used to be a teacher and a publisher of educational texts. Unable to find dolls for her nieces, pleasant rowland started the american girl doll company at age 45. American girl will close kenosha county operation, cutting. The woman behind american girl empire state tribune.
In 2004 she established the rowland reading foundationdedicated to improving reading instruction in the primary grades. Pleasant rowland wiki, net worth, husband, family, facts. American girl was first marketed in 1986 by the pleasant company in middleton, wisconsin. Each of them had an elaborate background story which were. American girl history and how its dolls have changed through. All she had to do was represent the entire history of black america. After graduating from wells college in new york in 1962, she became an elementary school teacher. It was an act of philanthropy by the woman who began the popular line of historic dolls and books, pleasant t. Struggling doll and book merchant american girl will close its kenosha county call center and distribution facility, cutting. The story of american girl started in 1986 with pleasant rowland, a writer and retired teacher from chicago with a brilliant idea. You mean the ceo and founder of the american girl doll brand which is pleasant rowland. I do not know her total history but she is in overall excellent condition. This has led to her becoming one of the richest women in the united states.
Started in 1986 in the madison area by former grade school teacher and television news reporter pleasant rowland, american girl is known for historythemed dolls whose outfits mirror their eras. Rowland, founder and president of pleasant company and creator of american girl, has devoted her career to helping children learn in new and exciting ways. Discover new clothes and dresses for girls and dolls. Pleasant rowland speaks at american girl 25th anniversary. Former teacher pleasant rowland created the 18inch dolls and gave them backstories of young girls. American girl dolls were invented in williamsburg, virginia by pleasant t. Pleasant thiele rowland is an american educator, reporter, writer, entrepreneur and philanthropist. American girl is an american line of 18inch 46 cm dolls released in 1986 by pleasant company. In 1986 rowland founded the pleasant company, which manufactured the american girl dolls, books and accessories. We have new and used copies available, in 2 editions. Rowland retired from american girl in 2000 and formed the pleasant t. Authentic american girl samantha doll made by the pleasant company. How to use american girl to study history for those who are unaware, american girl dolls are a line of 18 dolls that were created by pleasant rowland, now owned by mattel. American girl welliewishers barbie brio calico critters frozen harry potter hatchimals lego l.
Pleasant had held an opinion that young american girls need some companion or playmate that could fill their mind with stories and vibrant imaginations. I think those areas are part of what moms look to american girl for, and we will continue to invest in and grow those areas. The original founder of american girl was pleasant t. Oct 16, 20 how to use american girl to study history for those who are unaware, american girl dolls are a line of 18 dolls that were created by pleasant rowland, now owned by mattel. Body is a white muslin not beige for some reason and is signed by pleasant rowland the founder of american girl. By choosing the right books and toys for your daughter at the right age and stage of her growth, you protect her development, nourish her spirit, and give her imagination wing. In 1990, founder pleasant rowland launched a line of baby dolls sold through american girl, beginning a shift away from an exclusive focus on historical fiction. Apr 19, 2018 american girl will close kenosha county operations, cutting 5 jobs.
My daughter is keeping the clothing so she will be coming to you as pictured. Unable to find dolls for her nieces, pleasant rowland started the american girl. Pleasant rowland created the american girl doll brand in 1986. A podcast has helped me unpack how the historical doll and book. Along with the american girl dolls, their dress styles and outfits were retired as well. The doll company went from a catalogonly brand to an empire that includes retail stores with cafes and doll hospitals, a magazine, books, and a social media presence. Why did pleasant rowland make the american girl dolls. Wisconsin women making history pleasant rowland wisconsin. Our new baby by pleasant t rowland, jeanne thieme editor. Rowland 1990, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay. So from 1986 to 2000, she published a six book series along with the dolls which were designed to align with the stories of books. Each doll in the collection represents a different era, culture, or event in american history. Here are some interesting facts about this successful woman.
Sep 10, 2015 after building american girl place in chicago and putting on an american girl musical there, rowland said that my original business plan had been executed, and i was tired. Pleasant company also sells books about each of its doll characters and publishes american girl magazine, with more than 700,000 subscribers. Thirty years ago i created american girl to inspire you with stories about girls who lived long ago, girls whose lives in different times represented the values that were so beautifully captured in the american girl books and in these lyrics from the american girls anthem. Pleasant rowland is famous as the entrepreneur who created the american girl doll brand. In 2000, the minis started selling dolls as a unique product. American girl molly doll signed by pleasant rowlandretired.
At an age when girls are old enough to read and still love to play, they need books and dolls that capture their imaginations. Initially, the dolls were only available through the catalog. Pleasant company is one of the top ten publishers of children s magazines in the united states and is in the top 20 of children s book publishers. Not long after both their weddings, rowland called tripp pitching an idea of a doll and a corresponding book about a girl the same age as the reader in a different historical period.
The making of addy walker, american girls first black doll. We understand you want to give your girls the tools they need to be their best selveshealthy, independent, responsible, confident, joyful, and kindgirls of exceptional character. The american girls mollys doll dress patterns pleasant rowland, nancy j. I purchased her at a local sale and discovered she was signed and more of a collectors item rather than a doll for my daughters personal collection. Jan 04, 2016 looking for a fun way to teach girls about american history, pleasant rowland founded american girl in 1986. Rowland was looking for dolls for her nieces, but she felt her only options were cabbage patch kids. The first catalogue contained only 3 historical dolls, whereas now. New nib american girl 2015 grace doll and paperback book.
American girl, llc is the current, official name of american girl. Rowland, a former educator and publisher of educational materials, founded pleasant company which is headquartered in middleton, wisconsin. Pleasant rowland gave two reasons for creating the line. Buy our new baby by pleasant t rowland, jeanne thieme editor, nick backes illustrator online at alibris. Jul 25, 2012 american girl dolls were invented in williamsburg, virginia by pleasant t. Pleasant rowland is an american educator, reporter, writer, entrepreneur and philanthropist. Pleasant company was the original name of the company producing and distributing american girl products. Why did pleasant rowland make the american girl dolls answers. These american girl dolls are available in multiple skin tones, hair color and length, and eye color so that your american girl can get an american girl that looks just like her. The history and changes of american girl dolls,pleasant.
In this engaging biography, readers will learn about the inventor of the american girl doll, pleasant rowland. In 1998 the pleasant company was sold to mattel, inc. Follow the story of rowland as she creates american girl from the original historical dolls to the updated american girl of the year and american girl of. Rowland served as president of the middletonbased company for 15 years, until she sold the company in 2000 and founded the pleasant t. They are sold with accompanying books told from the viewpoint of the girls. Before she undertook the restoration of aurora ny, pleasant founded and led american girl, a company dedicated to teaching history through books and dolls that. The majority of dolls for girls came in two general age ranges. In 1986, rowland founded the pleasant company, which manufactured the american girl dolls, books and accessories. Pleasant had the whole vision in her head the stores, the.
The company fully transitioned to mattel ownership and the name american girl in 2000, and has been owned by. At american girl, we never stop believing in the unlimited potential of all girls, or in the families and communities who surround them. Five dolls were initially released for the line as accessories for the original dolls in the line. Pleasant rowland, the founder of the inns of aurora and creator of the american girls dolls, has a message of encouragment for all american girls. American girl history and how its dolls have changed.
A series of books, the smart girl s guides, deal with issues from friendship to babysitting to boys. Around 2000, my daughters chelsea and phoebe were given samantha and molly american girl dolls and soon they became very involved in collecting accessories and furniture as well as playing with the dolls. Follow the story of rowland as she creates american girl from the original. In the next 12 years, rowland steered the company toward success by developing new girls and character lines, including historical characters, the our new baby line, and the american girl of today. Apr 23, 2017 pleasant rowland is famous as the entrepreneur who created the american girl doll brand. Virginia inspired rowland to create dolls and books about girls growing up in. American girl was founded in 1986 by pleasant rowland, a retired teacher and writer.
Celebrate girlhood, allow girls to be girls, and offer experiences that can help them through these tender and really wonderful times. The dolls portray eight to twelveyearold girls of a variety of ethnicities, time periods of origin, faiths, and social classes. Rowland, who sold american girl to mattel in 1998 for. Pleasant company produced and marketed three 18inch dolls dolls each of which was from a different period in american history. The american girl historical doll collection, launched by rowland. American girl live was performed near tripps home for a brief period to accompany the opening of a new american girl store in the area. Jun 09, 20 american girl has been celebrating girlhood since pleasant founded the company, and i want to continue to do that.
The company makes american girl dolls, accessories, and books. Who invented american girl dolls vision launch media. Follow the story of rowland as she creates american girl from the original historical dolls to the updated american girl of the year and american girl of today to truly me and beforever. An idyllic town in the finger lakes is reinvigorated by worldclass hospitalityall thanks to the founder of american girl. The making of an american girl in 1993, the doll company set out to introduce its first black character. Homeschooling mother, cindy sotelo has taken pleasant rowlands idea a step further to create the portraits of american girlhood unit study. Pleasant company is now legally called american girl. Rowland s most popular book is the nitty gritty rather pretty city. Pleasant rowland tells the story of american girls humble beginings and her future plans for the company. Rowland worked as a school teacher in the 1960s and then as a reporter and anchor for an abc affiliate. Pleasant rowland took a seat on the mattel board as an acting vp for two years, but today she is no longer associated with the company. Follow the story of rowland as she creates american girl from the original historical. Paige v polinsky in this engaging biography, readers will learn about the inventor of the american girl doll, pleasant rowland. The company was started in 1986 by pleasant rowland and owned by her until she sold the line to mattel in 1998.
In this engaging biography, readers will learn about the. She became a textbook writer and was the publisher of childrens magazine guide. The american girl series was created by teacher, pleasant rowland to teach american history in a fun and engaging format. Rowland and was under the name of the pleasant company. After graduating from wells college in aurora, new york, she became an elementaryschool teacher. Pleasant thiele rowland born pleasant williams thiele. Pleasant rowland founded the american girls collection, a popular line of books, dolls, and accessories that features girls living throughout u. The original dolls were felicity, kirsten, samantha and molly. Rowlands most popular book is the nitty gritty rather pretty city.