Pleasant T. Rowland

Pleasant T. Rowland has used her fascination with American history to produce educational products called the American Girls Collection. Pleasant's goal is to "give young girls a sense of self and understanding of where they have come from and who they are today." Pleasant's company has sold more than 25 million books and 2 million dolls since the line was introduced in 1986.

Pleasant turned the Pleasant Company into a multi-million dollar business, according to The New York Times, "by breaking toyland's rules." Her company tries to steer clear of the the mass culture which tries to sell young girls sophisticated notions of their sexuality. The American Girls are portrayed by their accompanying books as intelligent, active and heroic; in other words, anything but traditional.