Natasha Kohlhoff Polak
NCHS CLASS OF 1998
North Central alumni continue to make bold, creative impacts in their communities and beyond… and Natasha Polak is no exception. Today, we proudly highlight Natasha and her inspiring initiative The Barbie Girls Project. Through this creative platform, she uses the iconic doll to explore themes of identity, representation and cultural pride. Her work invites important conversations about belonging and visibility, reflecting the spirit of heritage, self-expression and community that was nurtured during her time at North Central.
Q&A
What are you up to now?
Helping people has always been my passion, combined with developing quality relationships. As such, I am currently an administrator with an industry-leading company in first aid and safety products, and am a published author and freelance writer. I have collaborated on many projects from the inception of the Internet, including a paperback guidebook to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and articles published in a variety of Christian magazines. I have also done interviews on First Day with Terri Stacy on WIBC, Great Day with Patty Spittler, The Get Thrifty Podcast, and most recently the Anglo Indian Tea Chat Podcast to discuss my writing, growing up as a child of East Asian immigrants, and how I got started collecting and donating Barbie dolls to kids affected by poverty, trauma, and low self-esteem by founding The Barbie Girls Project.com.
How did North Central impact and shape who you are today?
My parents grew up in India, and met in childhood while attending the oldest English boarding school in India with the rest of their family. They took pride in their school, and taught me to do that in how NCHS resonated with me, and became the school I wanted to continue to support after graduation.
As an Asian-American, I often had to break barriers and make my own way, and many NCHS staff encouraged my love for literature and writing, giving me the courage to keep going. It led to me taking on new and unusual job roles in just about any field, giving me further insight into people from all walks of life. During my time at NCHS, I met my hubby and we were high school sweethearts, so it was extra special for us to have our daughter also attend MSDWT schools and graduate from NCHS, too!
The unexpected bonus has been my mom and my aunt who have both worked for MSDWT schools in their semi-retirement years. Along the way, I enjoyed volunteering on almost of my daughter’s field trips and being part of the PTO. And when my daughter was in second grade, her principal let us give Barbie dolls to some girls in her school for Christmas, which eventually became The Barbie Girls Project.com. To really understand me, my family, and what it means to help youth feel like they matter, I hope you’ll give my interview with the Tea Shop podcast a listen!
WHAT IS your favorite memory from North Central?
Being in the pilot for the peer facilitation program with Mrs. Armstrong and Mrs. Clark. I thoroughly enjoyed volunteering in the guidance office at NCHS and mentoring a Northview student who was from my hometown.
Connect with Natasha & The Barbie Girls Project
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-barbie-girls-project/
Instagram: @the_barbie_girls_project
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarbiegirlsproject/
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