This statue in Bowling Green Park of a girl facing off against the famous Wall Street Charging Bull came as a surprise this morning as the sun rises on Wall Street and clearly sends a powerful message through our country.
The stunt, timed to International Women’s Day on Wednesday 8th, is meant to symbolize the power of women in leadership. The sculpture, titled “The Fearless Girl,” was made by Kristen Visbal and photographed by Federica Valabrega. The guerrilla aspect of the placement is in keeping with the Charging Bull itself, which was installed without permission by artist Arturo Di Modica in 1989. It was meant to be a symbol of the strength and power of the American people following the stock-market crash of 1987. Residents fell in love with it, and the city allowed it to remain.
So back to this powerful little girl .... so what does this picture mean to you when you look at her? You don't have to understand the stock market to make this image stir up pride, excitement and a sense of "We Did It"!!! Just think back in history when women didn't have a voice, couldn't vote, wouldn't work outside the home --- and even today, there are many countries that women still live like this because strength and freedom over their lives and choices aren't an option.
To me, I am most proud of where I am in my life. I am proud to live in a country that has embraced women, maybe not as an equal compared to men but ....they know we all can make some noise and we are a large contributor in many ways (although they may not say that our loud). In my honest opinion I have no problem rolling up my sleeves, working twice as hard to keep up my male counterparts. Call it whatever you want but at the end of the day, I don't compare myself to others. I stay in my lane. As of today ..... I know on my scoreboard I have accomplished so much in my life as woman such as; Birth twin daughters, raised them for first 8 years as a single mom and now celebrate them as successful independent 23yr olds, I own 2 businesses (soon to add #3), and I have 3 new projects in my near future, I have the right to vote, to travel, to free speech, and to love who I want (married happily 16yrs to a man who allows me to be a strong woman). I EMBRACE International Women's Day as a day of celebration!!!!
Today I will go about my day as I planned and will honor where we are in 2017 and will smile knowing the movement all of us as women are building together for the next 5, 10, and will years to come ...... I am so excited to see what's in store for my daughters in their future as well as what their daughters one day will be proud of too. I encourage you also to take a minute and call your grandma and thank her for being one of those women, so many years ago who lived through the era of when everything changed for us.....they are my true heroes because their vision, their voice, their strength, their courage and their WILL TO WIN is the how and why we can have anything we want TODAY!!! So to be "Fearless" today and make it all count!!!
