American Girl Doll Maker Comes Under Fire for Supporting Abortion

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Washington, DC -- Millions of young girls around the country play with American Girl dolls and millions more parents may buy the dolls or their extensive accessories as gifts this Christmas. However, a leading pro-life group says Mattel, the company that manufactures them, is teaming up with a group that backs abortion.

Mattel is parterning with a group called Girls Inc. to sell a bracelet, the "I Can" band, which financially supports Girls Inc.

Seventy cents of every purchase goes to Girls Inc. and the American Girl web site features a prominent link to the organization. In addition, American Girl is giving the group $50,000 on top of the proceeds from the sales of the bracelets.

The problem is that Girls Inc. says it supports abortion and the right of teenagers to have one.

"Incorporated supports a woman's freedom of choice, a constitutional right established by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1973 in Roe vs. Wade," the group says on its web site.

In discussing a boycott of American Girl dolls it's supporting the American Family Association says Girls Inc. is "quite clear about their support for Roe, so there is no mistake or room for confusion on that count."

The pro-life group says American Girl is "making a terrible mistake by supporting the pro-abortion" activities of the New York-based group.

"Please send them an email expressing your disappointment and let 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," AFA said in an email to its supporters.

ACTION: You can express your views about the joint venture between American Girl dolls and Girls Inc. by going to http://www.afa.net/Activism/TakeAction.asp?id=179. You can also contact: Ellen L. Brothers, President, American Girl, 8400 Fairway Place, Middleton, WI 53562, Tel: 1-800-845-0005, Fax: 608-828-4790.

Printed from: http://www.lifenews.com/nat1691.html

Action Items: October 12, 2005
Amercican Doll Controversy - More Information

The Pro-Life Action League today weighed-in on the American Girl Doll controversy. The group warns parents of ties between the doll manufacturer and Girls Inc., a group that promotes abortion, lesbianism and easy access to birth control for teens.

In August, the American Girl company, a subsidiary of Mattel Toys, Inc., launched the "I Can" campaign, which involves taking a pledge and purchasing a special bracelet. Seventy cents of each one-dollar bracelet sold will be donated to Girls Inc. American Girl is also donating an additional $50,000 to Girls Inc.

"Parents need to know that this effort to promote self-esteem among girls is not as innocent as it seems," commented League Executive Director Ann Scheidler. "While Girls Inc. has some good programs, they also support abortion, oppose abstinence-only education for girls, and condone lesbianism."

Scheidler points to the Girls Inc. web site, which declares that "girls need and have a right to . . . convenient access to safe, effective methods of contraception," and that "Girls Incorporated supports a woman's freedom of choice, a constitutional right established by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1973 in Roe vs. Wade" (Source: http://www.girlsinc.com/ic/page.php?id=4.3.4)

"Parents associate American Girl dolls with wholesome American family values, yet Girls Inc. contradicts parents' most basic moral beliefs," Scheidler said. "We're encouraging parents, grandparents and other family members to write and call American Girl President Ellen L.
Brothers to object to the company's support for Girls Inc."

Scheidler hopes American Girl will sever ties with Girls Inc. before the League calls for a boycott of American Girl products and launches a picketing campaign at the American Girl Place retail stores in Chicago and New York.

Letters, phone calls and e-mails should be directed to:

Ellen L. Brothers, President
American Girl
8400 Fairway Place
Middleton, WI 53562
Tel: 1-800-845-0005
Fax: 608-828-4790
E-Mail: ellen.brothers@americangirl.com

Posted by tim at October 12, 2005 12:05 PM

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Prior Articles:

Response From American Girl Company Over Charity Controversy - Oct 11, 2005
American Girl Company Teams up With Pro-Abortion Group - Oct 11, 2005
Get Involved - Call for Life - Oct 07, 2005
First Monday in October Â— don't forget the babies - Sep 30, 2005
Life Chain 2005 is this Sunday - Sep 30, 2005
LifeChain Africa - Sep 26, 2005
Countdown to LifeChain Sunday - Sep 26, 2005
Call for Life - Oct 7th - Sep 21, 2005

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The “I Can” Dolls from Neddy's Palaver
Ã¢Â€ÂœI CanÃ¢Â€Â Sounds Praiseworthy, But Is It? What a shame it is that in todayÃ¢Â€Â™s culture, something as wholesome and innocent as an Ã¢Â€ÂœAmerican Girl DollÃ¢Â€Â becomes shrouded in controversy. I stand with the Pro-lifers. There are far too many worthwhil......[read more]

Tracked: October 12, 2005 02:52 PM

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