The big day is drawing near for the Brave Girls Alliance. This Friday, October 11–the International Day of the Girl–is the launch day for the Alliance’s campaign to take back media.
Through a crowdfunded campaign, the Alliance has raised enough money to rent billboard space in Times Square to share constructive, proactive, and inspiring “tweets” from people concerned about media representations of girls and women. Here is just a small sample of the types of messages that will be shared:
- #BraveGirlsWant to be builders, engineers, and scientists (@PFZinc)
- #BraveGirlsWant out of the pink aisle and every stereotype that resides there (@PigtailPals)
- #BraveGirlsWant to be celebrated for all their shapes, races, cultures, sexual orientations, and abilities (@AdiosBarbie)
- #BraveGirlsWant roles for women beyond wife, mother & lovestruck damsel-in-distress (my own contribution to the campaign)
There are lots of other things happening in tandem with this event in New York. Many Alliance members are gathering there to meet with each other and engage with passersby. Some are attending the Girls Speak Out forum at the UN. And I hear there will be dancing. Lots of it.
Although I am unable to attend, I am thrilled to be part of the Alliance and offer my support to their efforts. For others who cannot attend, there will be social media coverage on the day of the event. Follow #BraveGirlsWant on Twitter or visit the Brave Girls Alliance Facebook page.
I want to extend my congratulations to all of the Alliance members, and especially founders Ines Almeida of Toward the Stars and Melissa Wardy of Pigtail Pals & Ballcap Buddies. This is an extraordinary undertaking and it will certainly be a weekend to remember!
Go Brave Girls and Women!
For more information on the campaign and to make a donation, visit the Brave Girls Alliance website.
