Lately (and I mean in the last two years) have woken up to the fact that there are many stereotypes about women that have negative connotations.  Some groups have taken to starting campaigns that honestly seem more like militant feminist movement instead of trying to change the views that our culture has of female stereotypes.

Case in point the #BanBossy Campaign.  Do not get me started on this ridiculous attempt by Hollywood celebrities at girl power.  I mean come on the word bossy demeanors women?  I personally, along with many Americans, found it laughable that the main flag bearer of this campaign was Beyonce.  Come on, seriously she and her husband have made a killing using words and imagery that demeans women.  Truth be told, I use the word BOSSY with a bunch of people and personally, I don't mind people using that word to describe me because I am the first to tell you that I can be pretty bossy from time to time.  But moving on...

One thing about failed "girl power" campaigns is that it serves as an example of what not to do.  And it opens the dialogue about effectiveness in reaching out and spreading the message.  Enter Procter & Gamble's Always brand campaign {yes, the feminine products Always brand}.

Now, this campaign by Always is completely different.  It is about the negative perception that men AND women have that doing anything "like a girl" translates into weakness and whimpy.  I actually heard a mother this weekend telling her daughter at the grocery store "gosh, you are such a girl" as if it was something bad.  I myself have used that same expression about MYSELF.  And this is what this campaign aims at.


The concept is pretty simple: bring young girls and tweens and ask them to demonstrate what they think when someone says "run like a girl" or "throw like a girl".  They actually brought in a guy and a young boy and asked them the same question.  What really amazed me is how vastly different the perception of #likeagirl is for little girls  versus teenagers/tweens.  I let you see if for yourself.

Then you have the new Under Armour ad featuring powerful ballerina Misty Copeland and wow, wow, wow!  I am in love with this ad because of the message which so reflects Misty's own journey in the ballet world.  She did not conform to the aesthetics of ballet-- not so much because of race but because she did not have the "right" body type.  Talk about proving them wrong as she has become of the America's shining ballet stars and a trailblazer in the industry.  Here is the ad for your utter enjoyment:

This really resonated with my because I loved ballet and danced for about 10 years.  Then when I was 15 my body decided to change and I went from 5'7" to 6'1" in the span of a Christmas break.  When I started hearing comments like you are to tall or you are too curvy, I equated that with I am not good enough and I stopped dancing.  But never lost the love for it.  And this ad just brought me back to that time.  My parents were great motivators and always told me not to believe that but instead I channeled my energy through activities where I could use my height like sports.  But seeing this ad made me wonder if I have had a better understanding at the time of the important part that hard work and drive-- would I have continued?  I'll never know and I do not dwell on it now.  But whenever I can I try to tell girls that circumstances do not limit your possibilities. 

I am so happy that there are serious successful campaigns aimed at empowering your girls and women in general to be and love themselves.  But more importantly helping them accept their bodies as beautiful instead of trying to fit a mold influenced by what we see in fashion magazines.  As girls grow up there are so many insecurities that come with growing up and becoming an adult.  Self-deprecation and hating their bodies should not be one of them.

Do you have any favorite campaigns?

Do you thing ad campaigns like these help young girls and women?


Fitness Friday.  Whatever Is Lovely.  Thought Provoking Thursday.  Oh Hey, Friday.