'American Girl' Assailed for Teaming with Pro-Abortion Charity

By Mary Rettig and Jody Brown
October 13, 2005

(AgapePress) - The spokesperson for a pro-family group says she was
disturbed to find that a toy manufacturer esteemed by Christians has joined
with a pro-abortion, pro-lesbian group. And a Chicago-based pro-life
organization is hinting at a boycott against that toy maker if the
partnership is not dissolved soon.

The American GirlÒ brand was established in 1985 by former educator and
educational publisher Pleasant T. Rowland. It is now owned by toy-maker
giant Mattel, Inc. The American Girl website describes itself as "one of the
nation's most respected brands" whose products -- which include books,
dolls, and toys -- have "earned the loyal following of millions of girls and
the praise and trust of parents and educators."

Kathryn Hooks, director of media and public relations for the American
Family Association, says American Girl has long been treasured by Christians
for emphasizing traditional family values with their dolls. But now, Hooks
notes, American Girl has partnered with a charitable group called Girls Inc.
to sell a bracelet known as the "I Can" Band. Under the arrangement,
American Girl is donating 70 cents of every bracelet purchase ($1) to the
charity, as well as a $50,000 lump sum.
 

    Kathryn HooksThe AFA media spokesperson says the problem is that Girls
Inc. promotes a social agenda that is distinctly contradictory to that of
American Girl. "Girls Inc. has clearly stated support for Roe v. Wade and
'every young woman's right to choose.' They are pro-abortion, pro-choice
without a doubt," the media spokesperson says. "That is made clear on their
website."

Hooks is referring to an advocacy statement on the Girls Inc. website
addressing "reproductive freedom," which states: "Girls Incorporated
supports a woman¹s freedom of choice, a constitutional right established by
the U.S. Supreme Court in 1973 in Roe vs. Wade."

According to Hooks, Girls Inc. also offers girls resources encouraging
lesbianism and bi-sexuality. One of their publications states, "The
emergence of a lesbian identity is an ongoing process, rather than an
event." In addition, advocacy statement pages on the website state the group
endeavors to eliminate "homophobia and other forms of discrimination" and
that girls have a right to "positive, supportive environments and linkages
to community resources for dealing with issues of sexual orientation."

Hooks says American Girl's affiliation with Girls Inc. is particularly
disturbing because the latter's website reaches out to girls as young as six
years old. And that is why, she says, the American Family Association is
encouraging parents to take action.

In a notice to its supporters, AFA has urged individuals to contact American
Girl, expressing their disappointment. "[L]et American Girl know they are
making a terrible mistake by supporting the pro-abortion, pro-lesbian
organization, Girls Inc.," says AFA chairman Don Wildmon in the notice.
"[L]et American Girl president Ellen Brothers know the company's decision
casts a great shadow over their trustworthiness to put the welfare of girls
and children first."

Boycott Hinted
The Pro-Life Action League has joined AFA in its call for American Girl to
severe ties with Girls Inc. The pro-life group recognizes the same
paradoxical partnership between the two groups.

"Parents associate American Girl dolls with wholesome American family
values, yet Girls Inc. contradicts parents' most basic moral beliefs," says
League executive director Ann Scheidler. "Parents need to know that this
effort to promote self-esteem among girls is not as innocent as it seems."

And like AFA, the Pro-Life Action League is encouraging parents,
grandparents, and other family members to write to Ellen Brothers to object
to the company's support for Girls Inc. "While Girls Inc. has some good
programs," Scheidler says, "they also support abortion, oppose
abstinence-only education for girls, and condone lesbianism."

Scheidler says she is hopeful American Girls ends its partnership with Girls
Inc. soon -- before the Pro-Life Action League initiates a boycott of
American Girl products and launches picketing campaigns at American Girl
Place retails outlets in Chicago and New York.