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On March 7, 2017, ‘Fearless Girl’ was installed in a face-off position across from Wall Street’s famous Charging Bull statue. Depicting a young girl that is brave, proud, and strong, this 50-inch bronze statue was created to send a message about workplace diversity and to make a powerful statement about female empowerment.

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Designed by Kristen Visbal and commissioned by State Street Global Advisors, Fearless Girl was part of a State Street campaign to pressure companies to add more women to their boards. It was originally only granted a one-week permit for city display, but thanks to efforts by local leaders and a petition signed by thousands of people around the world, it has since been given a permanent home here, directly across from the New York Stock Exchange.

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On a personal note, I’ll never forget the uproar that ensued the day this sculpture was unveiled! Like any statement piece, it drew both great support and great criticism, and to this day it continues to be shrouded in controversy. But for me, given my personal experience in the corporate world of finance, it touched me deeply and remains an important symbol of both female resiliency and the ongoing need for change.