A
axolotl
Guest
Sure. I’d like to hear it.
- Status
J
Jennifer_J
Guest
Well, here it is, I suppose if it’s against a posting rule, they’ll let me know!
Jennifer
From : AG Correspondence im_catalog_cs@americangirl.com
Sent : Wednesday, October 5, 2005 10:18 AM
To : by way of Web Customer Service
Subject : Re: The I Can partnership with Girls, Inc.
MIME-Version: 1.0
Received: from mail3.mattel.net
Dear Ms. Julius,
Thank you for your e-mail expressing your disappointment with
American Girl’s affiliation with Girls Inc. We appreciate you allowing us the opportunity to address your concerns about this issue.
Our goal with the ?I CAN? program is to celebrate and encourage
the individual qualities, talents, and dreams that every American
girl possesses. In addition, we made it a cause-related effort to
help reinforce the idea that helping others achieve is also an
important part of life.
We chose Girls Inc. as our benefit partner because of their
strong focus and commitment to help girls realize their potential and their longstanding reputation of providing vital educational programs to millions of girls over the last 140 years-particularly those in high-risk, underserved areas. Most impressive to us was their work in
provide these kinds of services that will give girls the tools to make appropriate and healthy choices in life and overcome the
enormous pressures and challenges that so many of them face today.
We hope this information helps you understand the reasons we
chose to affiliate with Girls Inc. Please be assured that we have noted your comments, and again, thank you for sharing your concerns.
Sincerely,
American Girl® Customer Service
Phone: 1-800-845-0005 or 608-831-5210
Fax: 608-828-4790
Available Monday - Sunday 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. Central Time
enough
for American Girl products; however, I just found out about your
partnering with Girls, Inc which is problematic. Girls, Inc
promotes
many ideas which are morally troubling for me: contraception,
abortion and the homosexual agenda. I strongly encourage you to
rethink your affiliation with such a group. Our family will be
unable
to purchase anything from you if Girls Inc continues to be part
of
your corporate view. Jennifer J mom of 5 (4 girls and 1
boy)
|
Jennifer
From : AG Correspondence im_catalog_cs@americangirl.com
Sent : Wednesday, October 5, 2005 10:18 AM
To : by way of Web Customer Service
Subject : Re: The I Can partnership with Girls, Inc.
MIME-Version: 1.0
Received: from mail3.mattel.net
Dear Ms. Julius,
Thank you for your e-mail expressing your disappointment with
American Girl’s affiliation with Girls Inc. We appreciate you allowing us the opportunity to address your concerns about this issue.
Our goal with the ?I CAN? program is to celebrate and encourage
the individual qualities, talents, and dreams that every American
girl possesses. In addition, we made it a cause-related effort to
help reinforce the idea that helping others achieve is also an
important part of life.
We chose Girls Inc. as our benefit partner because of their
strong focus and commitment to help girls realize their potential and their longstanding reputation of providing vital educational programs to millions of girls over the last 140 years-particularly those in high-risk, underserved areas. Most impressive to us was their work in
- building girls’ skills in science and math
- providing basic health education
- teaching media literacy skills that enhance their ability to
critically examine and advocate for change in entertainment,
news, and advertising media - strengthening girls’ abilities to lead safer lives by
developing strategies for self-defense and seeking out and talking to caring adults about any personal violence issues they may be facing - introducing girls to basic financial concepts and money
management skills - offering programs to help girls manage stress and resist peer
pressure - encouraging physical activity and athletic skills
- developing girls’ leadership potential
provide these kinds of services that will give girls the tools to make appropriate and healthy choices in life and overcome the
enormous pressures and challenges that so many of them face today.
We hope this information helps you understand the reasons we
chose to affiliate with Girls Inc. Please be assured that we have noted your comments, and again, thank you for sharing your concerns.
Sincerely,
American Girl® Customer Service
Phone: 1-800-845-0005 or 608-831-5210
Fax: 608-828-4790
Available Monday - Sunday 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. Central Time
Original Message Follows:
Message: I have 4 daughters and they are slowly becoming oldenough
for American Girl products; however, I just found out about your
partnering with Girls, Inc which is problematic. Girls, Inc
promotes
many ideas which are morally troubling for me: contraception,
abortion and the homosexual agenda. I strongly encourage you to
rethink your affiliation with such a group. Our family will be
unable
to purchase anything from you if Girls Inc continues to be part
of
your corporate view. Jennifer J mom of 5 (4 girls and 1
boy)
|
I
Island_Oak
Guest
I received the EXACT e-mail mesage this morning from AG in response to the e-mail I sent them yesterday criticizing their affiliation with/support of Girls, Inc. This was my response:
We DO disagree most heartily that Girls, Inc. actually empowers young women with the philosophy they advocate on social, health and morality issues. While there may be good accomplished in some arenas (literacy/self-defense/money management), we strongly believe that it degrades those most in need of affirmation and support to present the messages that Girls, Inc. does. Girls in underserved and impoverished communities are done a tremendous disservice by receiving the message that it’s acceptable to succumb to social and societal pressures to become sexually active while still minors. At the very least, it sets them up for exploitation and LIMITS their options, opportunities, education and keeps them from reaching their full potential and/or becoming productive, self-sufficient and fully integrated members of the greater society. Since such circumstances would also limits their ability to become AG customers, I would think you had a financial interest, if not moral, in supporting programs which help keep these young women on track. Since our values in supporting causes which honor the dignity and worth of young women diverge so sharply from those evidenced by American Girl, please remove us from your customer list.
We DO disagree most heartily that Girls, Inc. actually empowers young women with the philosophy they advocate on social, health and morality issues. While there may be good accomplished in some arenas (literacy/self-defense/money management), we strongly believe that it degrades those most in need of affirmation and support to present the messages that Girls, Inc. does. Girls in underserved and impoverished communities are done a tremendous disservice by receiving the message that it’s acceptable to succumb to social and societal pressures to become sexually active while still minors. At the very least, it sets them up for exploitation and LIMITS their options, opportunities, education and keeps them from reaching their full potential and/or becoming productive, self-sufficient and fully integrated members of the greater society. Since such circumstances would also limits their ability to become AG customers, I would think you had a financial interest, if not moral, in supporting programs which help keep these young women on track. Since our values in supporting causes which honor the dignity and worth of young women diverge so sharply from those evidenced by American Girl, please remove us from your customer list.
C
Cupofkindness
Guest
Both of your emails were excellent. If AG receives enough, they will pay attention. I’m cancelling my AG magazine subscription. Can anyone recommend a good, Christian magazine for my four daughters ages 6-16? Thanks!
P
Peace-bwu
Guest
I wanted to let you know that I just received a call back from American Girls (I think she was one of the PR reps) She said that my comments were recorded so that she could pass it along to the people who make the decisions about this. She said this is something new and their intent was to help girls, giving me a long list of the positive things Girl’s inc. does. I told her that I would have no problem with them encouraging absitinance and stopping there, but that I am upset that they are being taught about birth control and abortion, that Girl’s INC promotes and agrees with Roe V. Wade, that they do not give the entire truth about abortion such as the developement of the baby, pain suffered by baby during an abortion, possible physical injuy to a girls reproductive system, increased risk of future miscarriage and breast cancer, emotional distress from regretting an abortion. and that I do not approve of Girls Inc.s political agenda., promoting Abortion, birth control and homosexuality. She said that American Girls didn’t have a political agenda in mind and that it was not their intent and that they would look into whether there is a better program out there, etc.
Those of you who emailed AG, actually talking to the right person may be more effective, especially if you can state your concerns calmly and professionally. She was very nice and understanding toward me.
Those of you who emailed AG, actually talking to the right person may be more effective, especially if you can state your concerns calmly and professionally. She was very nice and understanding toward me.
P
Peace-bwu
Guest
Both your emails were greatIsland Oak, your email reply was excellent!
Who knows maybe this will change.
Who knows maybe this will change.
I
Island_Oak
Guest
I’m happy to add a phone call to my e-mail effort. I also forwarded the info on the AG/Girls, Inc. partnership to “Focus on the Family.” Though not a Catholic ministry, they have a huge, Christian constituency and are very pro-active on issues such as this.
A
Arlene
Guest
Jennifer J:
You beat me to it. I got the same response from Amercian Girl today, and I was coming here to post it. They have their pat response, it seems.
A
Arlene
Guest
Also, did anyone notice that there was a bill up to fund “Absintence Only” programs, and Girls Inc, was against the bill?
By the way, the bill did not pass.
Arlene
By the way, the bill did not pass.
Arlene
P
ProudToBCathlic
Guest
Oh, it’s too bad that everyone has to superimpose pro-abortion things in their merchandise! I’ve always liked the cute AG books, esp. the older ones, and I’ve found it fun to look at the cute things the AG company offers in their catalogue. It’s too bad that they have to turn around and support abortion like this. Oh well, at least they’ve practically openly declared it now, and I for one shall certainly NOT be buying any of their merchandise anymore. I’ll also make sure the word gets out.
P
Philena
Guest
My girls enjoy Brio and Beyond Brio from Focus on the Family.
1
1ke
Guest
What number did you call that you got a response back from a PR rep? Did you find a Corporate number to call?
V
Vics5kids
Guest
I know this was totally useless but i just emailed girls inc and told them how disgusted i was that they infiltrated american girl and how loathsome it is that they are pushing their venomous proabortion pro- gay agenda on innocent girls.
P
Peace-bwu
Guest
I just called the regular American Girls # and told them I wanted to speak with someone in customer service about the “I Can” promise and campaign. I was sent to various people until I finally spoke with someone who took a message for so and so in the Public relations dept. I think her name was Julia (or close to that) She called back a few hours later. It wasnt’ hard to get to the right person, but they needed to transfer me a few times. I wish I had written down her name. Sorry!
P
Peace-bwu
Guest
No I didn’t see that. How did you know Girls Inc was against it, did you see it on ther website or other location?
The solution for American Girl would be to find a program that is helpful for girls such as an academic program that doesn’t promote such controversial issues! By doing this they are"putting out" a lot of their customers. I know there are many pro-life families who will never find out about their support of Girls Inc and what it’s all about!
A
Arlene
Guest
capwiz.com/girls/issues/votes/?votenum=379&chamber=H&congress=1071
hope this cut and paste works. It is the link to the page of legislative action girls inc is involved with that speaks to the abstinence only bill
A
auppie
Guest
Unfortunately, in this day and age, silence means acceptance. These companies need to know that there are people out there who do not believe they are teaching “values” or perhaps “skewed values”.I know how you meant it, but this made me laugh out loud at work just now.
I’ve had AG dolls since I was a little kid. They’re great. I don’t think I’d stop buying a product just because the company discusses abortion. I mean, not everyone is pro life. Just because we are, doesn’t mean we have to write angry letters about something that "just is". Boycotting AG products will not stop people from having abortions. Just my two credits.
If a company doesn’t know, then it won’t change its tactics, and just assume that what they are doing is ok with the average American shopper.
There are better than 28,000 members on this forum alone…if we all hit the company with emails, letters, phone calls, etc., we can make a difference. Also, just think how exponentially this would grow if we asked just two other people to voice their complaint as well, and they ask two people, and so on, and so on.
A
auppie
Guest
It seems that their “pat response” does not address the particular issues of abortion, homosexuality etc that were initially brought up to them. Write them again and ask them to specifically respond to these issues.
P
Peace-bwu
Guest
Just to keep everyone up to date on my concern with the American Girl affiliation and donations to “Girls Inc.” I have been contacting various pro life groups so they can look into it themselves and arrive at their own conclusion so they can decide what, if anything, they want to do with that information.
Here is an email reply from Focus on the Family website. They gave me a few other groups to contact which I did tonight with a similar letter.
Here is an email reply from Focus on the Family website. They gave me a few other groups to contact which I did tonight with a similar letter.
P
Peace-bwu
Guest
I got the same canned email response. I found my phone call to be more helpful, but I am going to send a physical letter as well, on Monday.
- Status