Posted on 10/31/2005 6:33:08 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin
(Show in state canceled in 'family values' dispute)
A Catholic school in Waukesha County (WI) is the first nonprofit group in the nation to cancel a coveted American Girl Fashion Show.
The cancellation follows complaints by two anti-abortion and "family values" groups based in Chicago and Mississippi that the Middleton-based doll company behind the show gives money to a national girls organization that accepts abortion and lesbian sexual orientation.
St. Luke School in Brookfield notified its parents through bulletins at Masses over the weekend.
"It seemed like a match made in heaven: a motivated Catholic school and an all-American icon," wrote Frank Malloy, St. Luke pastor, in his explanation. "We seemed poised to raise enough funds for a new playground and a remake of the school library."
But he said the deal will not work.
"It's a bargain we'll just have to pass up. The cost is too high. Our integrity isn't for sale," he said.
"We are profoundly disappointed that certain groups have chosen to misconstrue American Girl's purely altruistic efforts and turn them into a broader political statement on issues that we, as a corporation, have no position," according to a statement by American Girl.
"The American Girl brand exemplifies the values of wholesomeness and responsibility that we would expect any organization to commend."
Only 60 to 65 American Girl Fashion Shows are held nationwide each year. American Girl spokeswoman Julie Parks said no other groups have canceled because of the issue.
The fashion shows include the company's popular historic dolls being carried by girls who resemble the dolls and dress in the same outfits.
Organizers had hoped to raise at least $10,000 through ticket and raffle sales, business sponsorships, and a percentage of sales of American Girl's dolls, books, clothes and other products, said event co-chairwomen Marisa Beffel and Catherine Valentyn.
"It wasn't just the money," Valentyn said. "It was hard to give up the thought of a really great day for mothers, daughters, grandmothers, and the really great products that American Girl has, these dolls with the historic texts that come with them. But it just felt wrong. We know what the Catholic Church stands for, and we, in essence, represent them."
Two national groups - the Pro-Life Action League in Chicago and the American Family Association in Tupelo, Miss. - have raised questions about the American Girl brand and its parent company, Mattel Inc., because of the company's fundraising for Girls Inc.
Formerly known for decades as the Girls Clubs of America, Girls Inc. has more than 1,500 centers across the country, mostly in low-income neighborhoods.
Girls Inc. offers a wide range of programs and resources to help educate and encourage girls in everything from science to health.
That includes information about abortion and contraception along with sexual abstinence as acceptable choices for girls. The organization also affirms lesbian sexual orientation.
American Girl is encouraging girls to donate $1 for a band that features the firm's signature berry-colored star that can be used as a wristband or a ponytail holder as well as sign a "I Can" pledge that asks girls to promise to "be myself," "always do my best," "reach for the stars," "lend a hand to others" and "to try."
American Girl is donating $50,000 plus 70 cents of each band sold to support three educational programs at Girls Inc. that the company says haven't been criticized.
But Valentyn or Beffel, say the Girls Inc. Web site is inappropriate for girls 12 and younger and contrary to Catholic teachings.
"I think a lot of moms feel betrayed," Beffel said.
Really? And I think a lot of Moms are clueless as to what their dollars are actually supporting. ;)
Rally your troops. Wisconsin is on the cutting edge of a problem you pinged me with last week. :)
Bump for people with MORALS and BACKBONES!
:)
Hey. You.
Git over here, will ya?
"Girls, Inc." just sounds like the name of a porn site.
This anatomically correct aborable piece of faux non-viable tissue shows how a baby looks after being treated at the abortion clinic butcher shops that the American Girl Company supports.
Not anymore.
Next time remember to protect the brand by being more careful about who profits from it.
And yes, that mom, Beffel, needs to get a clue. She probably feels betrayed because she cares more about fashion than anything else, but I suspect a vast majority of the moms will be sickened to think of what their involvement would have really supported if the pastor didn't put a stop to this fund-raising effort.
They could put on their own "all-American Girls" fashion show.
Whatever happened to imagination?
A former co-worker received the American Girl doll catalog. Until I worked with her, I had never heard of the company. She received the catalog at work, and since I sorted the mail for our department, I had a chance to see it. I thought these dolls had outrageous prices, and the gal that received the catalog was very conservative and strong in her Christian beliefs. I wonder what she thinks of this. I may email her this thread and just ask her. It's so sad to see yet another institution cave in to the gay movement.
madison.com: Wisconsin's PROGRESSIVE Newspaper. "As soon as we are legally able to, we will publish the names of all gun owners in Wisconsin."
Yes, Mattel owns American Girl, in case anyone didn't know. They bought it from Pleasant Rowland, who was a Middleton, WI business maven. ('The Pleasant Company' was her brainchild.) She made hundreds of millions off of the sale and promptly turned that money over to her husband who is a Madison, WI real estate developer.
He, in turn, destroyed many downtown buildings (ripping business owners off in the wake, having perfectly good buildings condemed, etc.) to build 'The Overture Center' which only the 'Fur and Diamond Tiara' crowd can afford to use. Screw us 'Little People' in our cloth coats.
Bitter? Yeah, some of us in Wisconsin are bitter about it. I miss the bars and restaurants and family owned businesses that were destroyed so the few could have their luxuries.
And now, Mr. Frautchi (Pleasant's husband) wants the city of Madison to BUY the White Elephant he foisted upon us because his "investment" isn't paying off as he predicted! Grrrr!
Clueless Liberals. They do not understand Capitalism 101, and when their ill-conceived ventures fail, they stick it to the little people...which is Communism 101, if I recall correctly. *Rolleyes*
"As soon as we are legally able to, we will publish the names of all gun owners in Wisconsin."
Well, I own three, so can I go to the top of the list? ;)
Or am I missing something here?
I thought after my post that the article is ambiguous as to what Beffel meant. It's also poorly-worded, i.e., "Valentyn or Beffel, say the Girls Inc. Web site is innapropriate . . .". Which one?
I think the other mom was clearly saying what you attribute to Beffel, but it's unclear as to what Beffel meant.
The pastor cancelled the show.
So I'm blaming Diana (in jest) if I was led astray by her first comment about clueless moms.
That would take imagination. I would think they would put on an "all-American BOYs" fashion show.
You might make the backpage. I am not in Wisconsin but I have about 30.
"So I'm blaming Diana (in jest) if I was led astray by her first comment about clueless moms."
Oh, I see where the confusion may lie. Beffel was one of the organizers, and she was SYMPATHIZING with the CLUELESS Moms that felt "betrayed" because she (Beffel) as an ORGANIZER, cancelled the show once she realized she was supporting the work of Satan, LOL!
No, my comment still works. Any Mom that is uninformed and feels betrayed by the women who organized the American Girl show and then cancelled it due to educating themselves and having a change of heart for the sake of their daughters' moral well being still deserve to be mocked for their cluelessness.
And that's my story and I'm stickin' to it! :)
BTTT!
"You might make the backpage. I am not in Wisconsin but I have about 30."
Are you looking for a straight-shootin' wife who is willing to relocate? LOL! Oh, just kiddin'!
I like shooting pumpkins off of the head of the man I'm currently married to.
But if there were to be an unforseen incident/accident, I'll Freepmail ya. A forward-thinking gal always keeps her options open, right? ;)
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