I’m Proud to Support the Brave Girls Alliance!

The Brave Girls Alliance is a magnificent group of women of all ages working to take back mainstream media and show young girls just how fabulous they already are.  Airbrushed, hyper-sexualized images need not apply, thanks.  Having made a small contribution to this cause, I was surprised to see my tweet wind up on a 25-foot billboard in NYC’s Times’ Square!

This is only one of many positive messages both wom en and men shared that will help girls find acceptance for who they are, growing their self-esteem knowing that abilities matter more than appearance. 
Sharing what girls and women really look like and advertising a skill set beyond “pretty” also helps boys to stop seeing girls as cardboard objects, offering a better chance at meaningful coexistence or relationship.  It will also make girls proud of what they bring to the table, not curse themselves in the mirror because they don’t measure up to a phony “Barbie”-type ideal.
The mission of Brave Girls Alliance means to break a pattern so deeply ingrained in our society that far from dissipating, it seems to have gotten worse.  I learned of this organization through the lovely Melanie Klein when we both spoke at the VFA’s 20th Anniversary Gala celebrating Women and Film last month.  At the forefront of the #BraveGirlsWant campaign, Melanie helped secure the funding to get the word out via this very well-placed billboard.  Now, Brave Girls Alliance is seeking to spread their message around the world.
60 Minutes just celebrated the accomplishments of 16-year old cancer researching wunderkind Jack Andraka. While I’m grateful they shared his story, girls need to see role models championed and celebrated just as much.  Girls cannot celebrate what they’ve never heard of.
We all ought to know more about the inspiring bravery and brilliance of Malala Yousafzai than we do about Kim Kardashian’s “booty” or Miley Cyrus’ “twerking.”  Ironic that just today, it was reported that Cyrus is being photographed nude, covered only on metallic body paint for a new music video. 
What we advertise matters. 
Please watch this fabulous video, which delivers the message of what Brave Girls Want better than I ever could:
 
You can visit the Brave Girl Alliance to learn more.
Please help by spreading the word!  Retweet my tweet above or make up your own…

#BraveGirlsWant to be known for their INNER beauty and magnificent abilities, not packaging. pic.twitter.com/G2htQyCqhp
— Anita Finlay (@AnitaFinlay) October 18, 2013

Here are some more:

#BraveGirlsWant a childhood free of sexualization and an adult life blessed with healthy sexuality @GirlEmpowerment — TowardTheStars (@GirlEmpowerment) October 18, 2013

“#BraveGirlsWant to be taken seriously as leaders. @PFZinc” — Nancy Gruver (@nancynmgirls) October 17, 2013

#BraveGirlsWant a society that focuses on health, not on weight @iaurmelloneug
— Eugene Hung (@iaurmelloneug) October 16, 2013

“#BraveGirlsWant boys to be free of gender stereotyping, too. @mktgchildhood”
— TowardTheStars (@GirlEmpowerment) October 15, 2013

#BraveGirlsWant…
What say you?
Many thanks.