The "I Can" Campaign

A "Guest" blog from my daughter, Rebecca Feiler

Girls Inc. is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated
to inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold.
Among other things they have programs that encourage
girls to excel in school, especially in math and
sciences, and has created innovative programs that
help girls confront subtle societal messages about
their value and potential, and prepare them to lead
successful, independent, and fulfilling lives.

Recently Girls Inc. collaborated with American Girl
(whose mission is to celebrate girls by selling
age-appropriate books, magazines, movies and dolls to
help foster girl’s individuality, intellectual
curiosity, and imagination). Together they started an
“I can” campaign to encourage girls to "Believe in
yourself and each other. Believe in your power.
Believe in your strength."
The campaign is selling bracelets for $1 that ask
girls who wear the bracelet to make the “I can”
promise of : "I can be myself, follow my dreams, and
always do my best. I can reach for the stars, lend a
hand to others, and be a good friend. I can make a
difference! I promise to try."

Who would be against this empowerment of young women??
The American Family Association. The AFA has started
a petition to stop the campaign because Girls, Inc. is
“a pro-abortion, pro-lesbian advocacy group.”
Unbelievable! This is infuriates me to the fullest
extent!!!

Here is the statement of "proof" that the AFA offers
to show that Girls Inc. is a bunch of lesbian, baby
killers:
Girls Incorporated encourages all girls to develop
positive sexual identities and to function comfortably
as responsible sexual beings...Girls have a right to
positive, supportive environments and linkages to
community resources for dealing with issues of sexual
orientation.
...We recognize the right of all women to choose
whether, when, and under what circumstances to bear
children. Reproductive freedom and responsibility are
essential to other rights and opportunities, including
pursuit of education, employment, financial security
and a stable and fulfilling family life.

Here are the actual programs that the money raised
from the bracelets goes to:

Girls Inc. Operation SMART®, which builds skills in
science, math and technology;

Girls Inc. Discovery Leadership®, which develops
leadership skills and community awareness; and

Girls Inc. Sporting Chance®, which encourages athletic
skills, cooperative and competitive spirit, and an
interest in sports participation.

There are actual groups threatening to boycott
American Girl if they continue to collaborate with
Girl’s Inc.
To show my support for the “I Can” campaign I bought
the bracelets and emailed the president of American
Girl that I support their collaboration with Girls
Inc.

Click here to buy a bracelet.

Thanks for listening to my rant,
Becky