March 8th, 2017 was International Women's Day and coincidentally the bull market in stock's 8th birthday, and the “Fearless Girl”, created by artist Kristen Visbal, was installed overnight Tuesday in the Financial District on Wall Street. This is a statue of a little girl, with hands on her hips, staring down and standing up to the iconic bronze “Charging Bull”. This installment quickly went viral across social media, making national and international headlines, and that morning I decided I had to go see her.
It was a very empowering experience visiting the Fearless Girl yesterday, living so close to Wall Street I knew this was something I wasn't even allowed to miss. The crowds surrounded the statue, so it was difficult to get the kind of photo I wanted of the Fearless Girl, so I decided to focus on the crowds. People were excited, everyone wanted a photo with her, families were bringing their young daughters and sons to this iconic moment, there was a contagious buzz on the street and everyone walking by wanted to know what was happening. At times I would cross the street to get a better view of the crowds eagerly approaching the Fearless Girl, and I got stopped and asked by several tourists if it were a celebrity or film considering the energy all around.
"Perhaps the turning point of gender equality in corporate America will come down to this simple but powerful act of commissioning a piece of art."
What this Fearless Girl stands for is the importance of women in corporate leadership roles, and is putting gender diversity issues front and center. The “Fearless Girl” is just 50 inches tall, compared to the hulking “Charging Bull,” but the plaque at her feet suggests size doesn’t matter: ‘‘Know the power of women in leadership. SHE makes a difference.’’
It was transparent to see that the women visiting the statue yesterday were encouraged, their daughters were encouraged, their faces lighted up as they went to pose with Fearless Girl. An image in my mind I won't forget was several young girls just getting out of school, with backpacks still on, ran eagerly to get up and close to her, wrapped their arms around the statue, and declared how brave they all were.
I am sure a similar feeling also resonated through America for those who saw the images and heard the story on social media. But this statue represents more than just a feeling, but the beginning of action in a conversation that has gone on for too long within four walls of a board room, and seen little change.
While this statue of a young girl in a simple dress with high tops on and a ponytail may be a familiar image that relates to all of us in some way, where she stands is undoubtedly one of the most iconic places on Wall Street. And for this she is fierce, she is bold, she is brave, and not to be underestimated.
"Fearless Girl" has a permit from the city for the statue to be there a week. The company is seeking an extension for another month, but fans have already launched a Change.org petition to make it a permanent fixture.
