Parish cancels American Girl event; others urge boycott of doll maker

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Saying that "the pursuit of funds can't come at the cost of our integrity," the pastor of St. Luke Parish in Brookfield, Wis., has canceled an American Girl school fundraiser set for May because of the doll company's ties to a nonprofit group that supports keeping abortion legal.

The American Girl's connection to Girls Inc. through the "I Can" bracelet project -- which promotes girls' self-esteem and service -- also has prompted criticism of the company by at least three organizations -- Pro-Life Wisconsin, Pro-Life Action League and American Family Association. The latter two organizations urged a boycott of American Girl, which produces a line of popular collectable dolls.

"We are asking people who care about little girls, and about the value of human life, to refrain from purchasing products and visiting American Girl Place during the entire Christmas shopping season," said Ann Scheidler, executive director of the Chicago-based Pro-Life Action League, in a Nov. 1 statement.

The head of Girls Inc. said, however, that the controversy resulted from "false, inflammatory statements from people who are pursuing a narrow political agenda."

Representatives of American Girl did not respond to Catholic News Service requests for comment on the controversy Nov. 2, but spokeswoman Julie Parks told The Associated Press earlier that some groups "have chosen to misconstrue American Girl's purely altruistic efforts."

Writing in the Oct. 30 St. Luke's parish bulletin, Father Francis X. Malloy, St. Luke's pastor, said the parish school had planned an American Girl fashion show for May. The company sells dolls, related books and doll accessories through its Web site and catalog and at stores in Chicago and New York.

"It seemed like a match made in heaven, a motivated Catholic school and an all-American icon," Father Malloy wrote in the bulletin. "We seemed poised to raise enough funds for a new playground and a remake of the school library. Perhaps there would be enough for a rainy day."

But following a special meeting of the Home and School Association at St. Luke's, the pastor canceled the fundraiser, forfeiting a $1,000 deposit. Although the parish hopes to get the deposit returned, "even if we don't it probably won't matter," Father Malloy said. "The real lesson is one of integrity."

"We are a Catholic school and we do have core values of faith and tradition," he added. "These we pass on to our young people -- it's why we have a school. We do believe in preparing our daughters to be strong women of principle -- we just happen to disagree with Girls Inc."

Formerly known as Girls Clubs of America, Girls Inc. "develops research-based informal education programs that encourage girls to take risks and master physical, intellectual and emotional challenges," according to its Web site. "Major programs address math and science education, pregnancy and drug abuse prevention, media literacy, economic literacy, adolescent health, violence prevention and sports participation."

"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," said Joyce M. Roche, president and CEO of Girls Inc., in a statement. "Girls Inc. stands on its long positive history. The millions of lives we have touched speak for who we are and our values."

On its Web site, Girls Inc. said it "supports a woman's freedom of choice, a constitutional right established by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1973 in Roe vs. Wade." It also says girls have a right to "convenient access to safe, effective methods of contraception and protection from disease."

In September, American Girl launched the "I Can" bracelet project, selling bands that carry the American Girl "I Can" promise: "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."

American Girl, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc., said it would donate net proceeds from the band sales to Girls Inc. and would make an additional $50,000 donation to the organization to support its educational programs.

Peggy Hamill, state director of Pro-Life Wisconsin, praised Father Malloy and St. Luke's for canceling the planned American Girl fundraiser.

"The parish sacrificed possibly thousands of dollars to take a stand for life," she said. "Such courage will most likely not, however, go unrewarded. It would only take a few people who decide not to purchase an American Girl doll, and instead send their money to St. Luke, for the parish to recoup their losses."

The American Family Association, based in Tupelo, Miss., called Girls Inc. a "pro-abortion, pro-lesbian group" and urged its members to tell American Girl that its decision to support Girls Inc. "casts a great shadow over their trustworthiness to put the welfare of girls and children first."

Scheidler of the Pro-Life Action League said girls are being "unwittingly introduced to Girls Inc. through the 'I Can' bracelet program, and lured into contact with their radical feminist ideology."

"As consumers, we have both the freedom and the responsibility to spend our gift dollars in a manner consistent with our values," she added. "There are excellent alternatives to American Girl dolls. We expect that many families will choose to reject American Girl this Christmas."

League Calls for Boycott of American Girl This Christmas

[Girls for Life]

Update 11/2: American Girl is now re-routing protest calls to their 800 number to a recorded message, with no opportunity to leave your comments. Use their regular number instead: 608-836-4848.

The Pro-Life Action League is calling for a boycott by pro-lifers of American Girl products during this Christmas season, in response to the company's refusal to sever ties with the pro-abortion group Girls Incorporated.

The League first called attention to American Girl's support of Girls Inc. through sales of their "I Can" bracelets on Oct. 12. Through dozens of phone calls and e-mails to the company and numerous interviews with the media, League Executive Director Ann Scheidler has appealed to the company to stop funding Girls Inc., an organization whose radical feminist agenda is offensive to many American Girl customers.

Join the Boycott, Starting November 1

"We regret that American Girl has chosen to sully their wholesome image in order to provide financial support for Girls Inc," Scheidler said. "But since they have chosen to ignore the pleas of pro-life parents and grandparents, we must urge pro-lifers not to purchase American Girl products as of Tuesday, November 1."

Scheidler remarked that with the Christmas shopping season coming up, pro-life parents have a ideal opportunity to send a message to American Girl—and corporate American in general—that they will not allow their consumer dollars to support an anti-life, anti-family agenda.

Scheidler invited pro-lifers to join the boycott and to sign the League's Boycott Pledge, and to continue expressing their objections to American Girl president Ellen L. Brothers:

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

Scheidler also called attention to an alternative to American Girl dolls, the Life of Faith dolls offered by Mission City Press. The books that accompany these dolls feature stories of girls living out their Christian faith with heroism.

Resources

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League Urges Pro-Lifers To Support Confirmation of Justice Alito

[Justice Samuel Alito]

The Pro-Life Action League applauds President George W. Bush for nominating conservative Judge Samuel A. Alito, Jr. to the Supreme Court. "Judge Alito is a a brilliant jurist who understands the proper role of the judiciary," commented League National Director Joe Scheidler. "His presence on the Supreme Court will be a sure sign of hope for pro-lifers."

While sitting on the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, Judge Alito cast the sole dissenting vote in Planned Parenthood v. Casey, arguing that a Pennsylvania law requiring women seeking abortions to inform their husbands should have been upheld.

The late Chief Justice William Rehnquist's dissent from the Supreme Court's 1992 decision striking down the spousal notification provision of the law quoted Judge Alito's dissent and expressed support for his reasoning.

Scheidler remarked, "Samuel Alito would help to stem the tide of judicial activism that has done great damage to our country. I urge all advocates for life to stand strongly behind his nomination."

President Bush has called for an up-or-down vote on the Alito nomination before the end of 2005, making it unlikely that he will be on the bench on November 30 when NOW v. Scheidler returns to the Supreme Court for an unprecedented third time.

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League Shows the Truth about LIFE

Life Day along Lake Shore Drive Oct. 22 [Photo by EJS]

The League's Face the Truth squad hit the streets of downtown Chicago Wednesday, October 22 for our third annual Life Day. Our group held signs of beautiful babies, born and unborn, and passed out leaflets on fetal development. No graphic abortion signs were used on this day.

We began with an "early bird" site at Madison Street and Wacker Drive, one of our most common Truth Day sites, from 7:30 to 9:00. The League provided coffee and donuts for the volunteers who greeted morning commuters with images of life.

Next we lined up along the heavily trafficked stretch of Lake Shore Drive between Jackson Boulevard and Buckingham Fountain, from 10:00 to 11:00. The day ended at Daley Plaza from noon to 1:30 p.m.

Volunteer Mike Busey passes out a "How You Began" flyer at Daley Plaza [Photo by EJS]

"How Can You Disagree With a Developing Baby?"

Response from the public was mostly postive, and hundreds of "How You Began" flyers were distributed. However, we still received some negative comments, including one passerby who told Joe Scheidler, "I couldn't disagree with you more."

"I don't know how you can 'disagree' with a photo of a developing baby," Scheidler later remarked.

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Life Issues Headlines

These daily headlines on the life issues are provided by a independent newsfeed from Pro-Life Daily.

Disclaimer: Not all of these articles are written from a pro-life perspective; opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the positions of the Pro-Life Action League.

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