American Girl reveals first doll with hearing loss

Tuesday, December 31, 2019
American Girl is introducing the world to its 2020 Girl of the Year--a 10-year-old athlete born with hearing loss.

Joss Kendrick, according to a statement from American Girl, loves surfing and competitive cheerleading. Joss's story is told over a two-book series where she learns about respecting others in her Huntington Beach, Calif., community.
[Ads /]
Joss debuted on Good Morning America on Tuesday, surrounded by a group of young girls with hearing loss. Each of the girls got a Joss doll to take home.

The toy company says it is teaming up with 17-year-old surfer Caroline Marks, who plans to make history as a member of the first U.S. Women's Olympic surfing team.

"I'm so excited to be a part of the Joss launch and share her message that passion and hard work can really take a girl places-even to the Olympics," Marks wrote in a statement.

The Joss doll includes a removable hearing aid for her right ear. According to her story, Joss was born deaf in her left ear but can hear a little out of her right ear. American Girl said the company has previously offered hearing aids, a service-dog set, glasses and wheelchairs as accessories, but Joss is the first Girl of the Year to have hearing aids as part of her story.
[Ads /]
American Girl said it is also donating $25,000 to the Hearing Loss Association of America in honor of Joss's debut.
Copyright © 2024 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.