Here’s my response to Girls, Inc. regarding the statements made in the AP article and their website:
Joyce Roche, the president of Girls Inc., said the New York-based organization had never before been targeted by a protest campaign.
“We were taken aback,” she said in a telephone interview Friday. “Our programs are well-respected. We’re all about helping girls see possibilities and dream big dreams.”
She said Girls Inc. takes positions on public policy issues if it believes women’s rights and opportunities are at stake. “Our philosophy is that women should have the right to make decisions about themselves,” Roche said. [emphasis added]
This is the quote by Girls Inc. president Joyce Roche from the Associated Press article of October 14, 2005.
Recently, our mission to help girls develop their self-esteem and self-reliance has become the target of false, inflammatory statements from people who are pursuing a narrow political agenda.
This statement is directly from the Girls, Inc. website.
I am a parent of a pre-teen daughter, and I am appalled at what Girls, Inc. represents. Yes, Girls, Inc. does have its good programs, and more power to you for those programs. It is sad, though, that you are teaching very young girls that abortion is an “option” they can choose about their own bodies. It is not your job to teach these girls this. This is what this argument is all about. Its not about the American Family Association coming down on you for " a narrow political agenda". A group of PARENTS, who started this bru-ha-ha, learned about Girls, Inc. through American Girl products. Many of us were not happy to see that our hard-earned money went to support programs such as advocating abortion, same sex lifestyles, and the use of birth control TO PRE-TEENS AND TEENS–our daughters.
I am appalled by both statements above. Let’s start with the one from the AP article. When did pre-teens and teens become “women”? Last I checked a “woman” wasn’t enrolled in elementary school, middle school or high school. These students are GIRLS, not WOMEN. Our girls today grow up way too fast, and this information handed out and/or taught to them contributes to that condition. Its almost like you are telling them …here are your options, but don’t do it i.e. what person doesn’t look down when told “Don’t look down.”
As for the statement from the website, what narrow political agenda am I pursuing? As previously stated, I am a mother of a pre-teen daughter. I am not a political candidate for anything. Besides, what statements were false or inflammatory? Girls, Inc. has admitted to supporting Roe v. Wade. Girls, Inc. supports same-sex relationships. Please let us concerned parents know what statements are false because we don’t see them.
As long as these statements continue, us concerned parents, will continue to show you what we think of your organization, by withholding the Almighty Dollar. We won’t purchase American Girl Products, and they, in turn, won’t have the funds to pass along to your organization.
Thank you for your time,
I think we have a huge ripple going here!
