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Local moms create ragdolls that celebrate diversity

Working moms Valerie Alva-Ruiz and Courtney Stillwagon created "Selma's Dolls" to celebrate diversity of religion, culture and physical and mental disabilities.
Working moms Valerie Alva-Ruiz and Courtney Stillwagon created "Selma's Dolls" to celebrate diversity of religion, culture and physical and mental disabilities.

Working moms Valerie Alva-Ruiz and Courtney Stillwagon created "Selma’s Dolls" to celebrate diversity of religion, culture and physical and mental disabilities.

"We realized our little girls’ ragdolls didn’t reflect the world around them," said Stillwagon.

Selma's Dolls are ragdolls that are designed to teach children ages 2 and up how to love, appreciate and embrace differences.

Working moms Valerie Alva-Ruiz and Courtney Stillwagon created " Selma’s Dolls " to celebrate diversity of religion, culture and physical and mental disabilities.   

"The conversation about inclusion needs to start early and should be done in a way that’s most relatable to kids," added Alva-Ruiz. "That can be through toys."

The first collection features three 12-inch soft dolls: Muslim (Ameena), Mexican-American (Lola) and Down syndrome (Annie).

Each doll comes with a story, “Selma’s First Day of School,” in which Selma meets her three new friends who help her overcome her first day of school fears.

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