"The Barbie Project" was an idea conjured out of a tough time by our friend and radio legend Mary Ellen Murphy, who hosts "Good Morning Grand Haven" on WGHN 92.1 each day. She recently announced her new campaign to bring a Coast Guard Barbie to life, and we just had to have her on to tell us all about it.

Mary Ellen was undergoing treatment for breast cancer, and this kind of stunk for all the usual reasons. During breaks between her treatments in Grand Rapids, she would head to Goodwill for a little thrifting therapy. One day, she found a pretty nice Barbie Beach Dream House and decided to get it and fix it up for her granddaughters. The Barbie Project was born.

This year, in honor of the 100th anniversary of the National Coast Guard Festival and the fact that Grand Haven is "Coast Guard City USA", Mary Ellen has started a campaign for a Coast Guard Barbie. Barbie currently serves in every arm of the military EXCEPT the Coast Guard, which seems like a major oversight. While women make a smaller minority serving in the Coast Guard, making up about 15 percent of service members, you best believe they are an integral part of the service. In fact, the top person at the Coast Guard is a woman. Admiral Linda L. Fagan assumed duties as the 27th Commandant of the United States Coast Guard in 2022, and now oversees all global Coast Guard operations and 42,000 active-duty, 7,000 reserve, and 8,700 civilian personnel, as well as 21,000 GC Auxillary volunteers.

Vote for Coast Guard Barbie here!

Attempts have been made to contact Barbie toy maker Mattel to no avail, but don't worry, Mary Ellen is not giving up. She's gearing up for a big push for votes over the next few weeks since the National Coast Guard Festival runs from July 26 to August 4. It's a fantastic event, and this year it'll be bigger and better than ever. If you go, be sure to look for Mary Ellen and the beach house out on the actual beach. She brings it down and sets it up for everyone to enjoy while taking in all the sun and fun this great Michigan beach town has to offer.