Fearless Girl

Fearless Girl
Name	Fearless Girl
Artist	Kristen Visbal
Year	2017
Type	Bronze sculpture
Location	New York City, New York, U.S.

Fearless Girl. A bronze statue depicting a young girl standing defiantly, created by American sculptor Kristen Visbal. Installed in March 2017 facing the iconic Charging Bull statue in Manhattan's Financial District, it was originally commissioned by the investment firm State Street Global Advisors as part of a campaign to promote gender diversity on corporate boards. The work quickly became an international symbol of female empowerment and a focal point for discussions on gender equality in the corporate world.

Background and creation

The statue was conceived by the financial services corporation State Street Global Advisors and its marketing agency, McCann New York, to mark International Women's Day in 2017 and to highlight the firm’s “Gender Diversity Index” exchange-traded fund. The project’s goal was to pressure companies within the S&P 500 to increase the number of women on their boards. Artist Kristen Visbal was selected to create the sculpture, drawing inspiration from the spirit of young girls and the specific context of its planned placement near the Wall Street landmark. The creation process involved meticulous sculpting in clay before the final piece was cast in bronze at a foundry in Brooklyn.

Description and symbolism

The life-size statue stands approximately 50 inches tall and portrays a young girl with her hands on her hips, chin raised, and a determined expression. She is dressed in a simple dress and sneakers, with her ponytail flowing behind her. The defiant posture, known as a “power pose,” is intended to symbolize confidence, resilience, and the challenge to the traditional male-dominated environment of Wall Street. Its direct confrontation with the nearby Charging Bull—a symbol of aggressive financial capitalism and bull markets—creates a powerful dialogue about the need for change in corporate culture. The plaque originally at her feet read, “Know the power of women in leadership. SHE makes a difference,” referencing the ticker symbol for State Street’s fund.

Installation and relocation

The statue was installed overnight on March 7, 2017, directly facing the Charging Bull in Bowling Green park, under a temporary permit from the New York City Department of Transportation. Its immediate and overwhelming popularity led to calls for a permanent installation. After a public campaign and negotiations with city officials, including then-Mayor Bill de Blasio, it was moved to a new permanent location facing the New York Stock Exchange on Broad Street in December 2018. This move was also intended to ease congestion and safety concerns around the Charging Bull, whose sculptor, Arturo Di Modica, had protested the girl’s presence.

Public reception and impact

The installation instantly captured global media attention and became a major tourist attraction, with visitors lining up to take photographs. It received widespread praise from groups advocating for women's rights, including the United Nations and Lean In Foundation, and was endorsed by numerous public figures and politicians. However, it also faced criticism from some who viewed it as a publicity stunt for State Street Global Advisors, a firm that itself faced lawsuits over gender pay disparity. The statue won the 2017 Grand Prix for PR at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity and sparked countless social media posts under hashtags like #FearlessGirl.

Legal and copyright issues

The statue became the center of several legal disputes. Sculptor Arturo Di Modica, creator of the Charging Bull, argued that *Fearless Girl* violated his artistic copyright by altering the meaning of his work without permission, and he demanded its removal through his lawyers. Separately, Kristen Visbal filed a lawsuit against State Street Global Advisors and its licensing agent, State Street Corporation, alleging they breached their contract by selling unauthorized replicas and merchandise, thus damaging the integrity and value of her original artwork. These cases raised complex questions about artistic copyright, moral rights, and site-specific art under United States copyright law.

Related works and legacy

The statue’s influence extended globally, with replicas installed in cities such as Melbourne, London, and Oslo. It inspired numerous derivative works, parodies, and artistic responses in various media. The image of *Fearless Girl* has been used in campaigns by organizations like the Girl Scouts of the USA and has been featured on *Time* magazine covers. Its enduring legacy is as a potent cultural icon for the Me Too movement and the ongoing fight for gender parity, demonstrating the power of public art to catalyze social and corporate discourse. The original remains a prominent fixture in the financial district of New York City.

Category:2017 sculptures Category:Monuments and memorials in New York City Category:Bronze sculptures in New York City Category:Art about women